We never really appreciate our plumbing when it’s doing a good job behind the scenes. It’s easy to not pay attention when your plumbing is working smoothly. But the moment things go sideways, you have to act ASAP to find out what’s ruining things and call a professional plumber. Here are the top things that could be ruining your plumbing right now.
Flushing Foreign Objects
There are only a couple of things that are supposed to get flushed down the toilet. These are toilet paper and human waste. However, most people can’t resist the urge to flush foreign objects down the toilet. For instance, it’s not uncommon for people to flush baby wipes, q-tips, cotton products, dental floss, and cigarette butts.
This is one of the quickest ways to clog your pipes. Things like baby wipes don’t disintegrate as easily as toilet paper which will cause a lot of plumbing issues down the line. Similarly, other foreign projects don’t break down the way toilet papers do, so they end up clumping in your pipes.
Pouring Grease and Oil Down the Drain
If there’s one thing you should never pour down the drain, it’s grease. Grease may seem harmless, but it can cause major plumbing problems when it ends up in your pipes. That’s because grease will slowly coat your pipes from the inside. It will eventually form clogs and backups that can affect your entire sewer system. When the water no longer flows smoothly through the pipes, it can be very costly trying to fix the issue.
The reason why you shouldn’t pour grease and oil down the drain is that although they flow freely when they are hot, they tend to solidify quickly once they cool down. So it ends up stuck in your pipes and can’t be washed away with water.
Putting the Wrong Things Down the Garbage Disposal
Garbage disposals are there to help us dispose of food scarps easily and conveniently. But not all food scraps are made equally. Keep in mind that your garbage disposal isn’t the same thing as a garbage can, and treating it like one can cause major plumbing problems.
When it comes to things that don’t belong in your garbage disposal, the list includes coffee grounds, animal bones, nuts, shells, eggshells, and potato peels. These things are all likely to clog your drains. For instance, potato peels can form a starchy paste that can block your drain and cause water to back up.
Failing to Insulate Pipes
When the weather gets cold, failing to insulate pipes can lead to frozen pipes which are prone to bursting and can be very expensive to fix. When insulating pipes, make sure every exposed pipe is properly insulated. Watch out for the pipes in your home that run through unheated spaces, like those in floor cavities and exterior walls. Typically, people use tubular foam pipe insulation to do the job. Insulating hot water pipes is also beneficial because it can reduce your heating costs. That’s because the water in the pipes won’t lose as much heat to the surroundings when insulated.
Ignoring Small Leaks
When you have water dripping in your home, it may seem like a small issue. However, it’s generally best not to ignore a leak, no matter how small. Instead, you should contact a professional plumber as soon as possible. Water leaks usually come from holes in pipes for the shower, sink, and washing machine hoses. According to Statisticsdatabase.com, one in ten American homes have small leaks in their plumbing system but which waste at least 90 gallons of water per day. The problem with water leaks is that they not only wastewater but can pose a health hazard to people with asthma and allergies by encouraging the growth of mold.
DIY Plumbing Jobs
Tackling your own home improvement projects has become a popular trend, but it’s not a good idea when applied to plumbing projects. You may have heard of this many times, but some things are better off left to the professionals. For instance, you should never replace your water heater because it involves gas lines. Even trying to fix a burst pipe can make things worse requires a professional plumber.
It may have come as a surprise, but as you can see, the biggest culprit ruining your plumbing system is bad habits. But now that you know all the things you’re doing wrong, you can stop the bad habits and save your drains and pipes. If you already have a plumbing emergency or would like to know more about how to keep your plumbing in tip-top shape, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Steve Ray Plumbing Service Inc.