When you have a plumbing problem, it’s most likely inconvenient, gross, and costly. If you knew something was bad for your plumbing, would you stop doing it to save yourself the stress of dealing with plumbing repairs? There are six common bad plumbing habits people have that can ruin your plumbing that you might not have known about. Break these bad habits sooner rather than later to avoid plumbing issues down the road.
Table of Contents
Flushing Things Down the Toilet That Aren’t Flushable
Certain items cause clogs in your pipes, including items labeled as “flushable”. When in doubt, use caution and put items in the trash. Toilet paper should be the only thing going down your toilet. Feminine hygiene products should not be flushed since they absorb water and won’t break down easily. Flushing items and products down the toilet that shouldn’t be there is a surefire way to damage your pipes, or at least get good use from your plunger.
Incorrectly Using the Garbage Disposal
Just as your toilet isn’t a trash can, neither is your garbage disposal. Certain items should not go down your disposal: coffee grounds, bones, rice, pasta, and grease. You should be smart with the things you put in your garbage disposal so you can extend if lifespan and avoid unnecessary repairs.
Putting Hair Down the Bathroom Drain
Hair can stick to soap scum in the pipes and lead to a clog. Yes, even small hairs from shaving over the sink. The best alternative to this bad habit is to close the drain as you shave to catch the hair, so you can throw it in the trash.
Using Chemical Drain Cleaners
Chemical drain cleaners may be easy to use in a pinch, but over time they corrode your pipes. Harsh cleaners can also damage your septic tank, leaving you with an expensive mess to clean up. If you have a clogged drain or one that needs repair, you may want to consider calling a professional plumber to help.
Taking Long, Steamy Showers
You look forward to a long, hot shower after a hard day. But without proper ventilation, all that moisture sticks around long after your shower is done. The moist environment of bathrooms is the perfect environment for mold growth. There’s a simple solution to this so you can keep enjoying your showers: turn on the bathroom fan as you shower. Long, hot showers, and other bad shower habits like leaving hair in the drain, can damage your plumbing over time.
Ignoring Home Plumbing Maintenance
Life gets busy, and it can be hard to address the plumbing concerns in your home as they come up. But the longer a leak goes unaddressed, or an issue unsolved, the more likely it is that the problem will only grow and the necessary repairs increase. Stay up to date on your maintenance and if any issues do arise, take care of them as soon as possible.
Avoid Damage to Your Toilet and Pipes
These are the bad plumbing habits you need to break because they can ruin your plumbing. Breaking these habits can save you from clogs, damaged pipes, sewage backups, and burst pipes in your home. But when you need professional plumbing help, call on the experts at Elite Heating & Air.
For over 20 years, Elite has provided full-service plumbing repair and installations to the Bradenton and Sarasota areas. From inspections to repairs and replacements, our professional plumbing technicians cover it all.
Schedule your 24/7 emergency plumbing service online or by calling (941) 759-5896.