Tips, Plumbing Habits to Avoid

There is no doubt that the plumbing system in your home is one of the most important systems you rely on. Just like any other operation, there are guidelines that must be followed in order for your plumbing system to run smoothly.

Are you guilty of these plumbing habits?

1. Dumping too many products down the drain

   Using a drain cleaner seems like an affordable and effective solution to unclog your drains and pipes; but if you use too much of it, it can wreak havoc on your plumbing system. In fact, you should never use a liquid drain cleaner. Even though liquid drain cleaners are sold in every grocery store across America, these chemicals can damage your pipes and injure your lungs. If you happen to have a septic system, these harsh chemicals and cleaners have to be used with great caution. Liquid drain cleaners are made of a strong acid or base, which destroys pipes, as well as the clog it was meant to target. Homeowners often turn a small clog into a HUGE problem like a burst pipe by using these liquid drain cleaner products.

   Bleach, paint and even some anti-bacterial soaps can disrupt the healthy bacteria that live in septic tanks and you could end up with a sewage backup on your hands.

2. Home improvement projects

   When you begin a home improvement project, don’t forget to take into consideration where your plumbing pipes might be behind your walls. Think about this as you are nailing, screwing and cutting into drywall for these projects to avoid damaging hidden plumbing pipes.

3. Connecting two different metals

   If you ever need to connect, or re-connect two plumbing pipes, be sure that you follow the rules of thumb when connecting two different metals. You never want to join different types of metals, such as copper and steel. If you do happen to join different metals, this can cause corrosion and eventual leaks. Always hire a professional plumber to ensure that your pipe union is successful.

4. Misuse of your kitchen drain

   Are you guilty of using your kitchen drain for disposing of grease? Many homeowners are, and this is one of the biggest habits to avoid. When you pour grease down your kitchen drain, you will eventually end up with clogs and further plumbing problems from this type of misuse. Hot grease might be a liquid when you are pouring it down the drain, but it doesn’t stay that way. As hot grease starts to cool, it turns into a solid and this solid mass can create a sewer line blockage. There are several other things you want to avoid using your kitchen drain for flour, rice, potato peels, coffee grinds, and eggshells.

5. Using your toilet as a trash can

   Your toilet use should be rather simple. The only items that should ever get flushed are toilet paper and human waste, period. When other items get flushed, these products linger in your sewer pipe, and if enough of them get stuck – it causes a blocked sewer line. Once your sewer line is blocked, the waste has nowhere to go, except back where it came, which isn’t pretty. Manufacturers love to advertise products like baby wipes, diapers, and feminine hygiene products as ‘flushable.’ However, the majority of those products are about as flushable as a cement brick. The bottom line is that even if the packaging claims it’s flushable, just toss it into the trash can to be safe.

6. Leaving hoses connected in winter

   Most homeowners don’t understand that disconnecting hoses during the Winter months is vital to protecting the longevity of your plumbing system. If you choose to leave your hoses connected during the Winter, this can lead to damaged faucets and frozen water pipes.

7. Not removing hair out of the drain

   You would be surprised at what can actually happen when hair is allowed to sit inside a drain and accumulate. Hair can easily build up and will become a huge clog in your shower drain, which will cause water to drain slowly or stop draining altogether. Be sure to clear hair from your drain on a regular basis, or invest in a hair catcher for your drain.

At the Plumbing Joint, we like to educate homeowners on the habits that might be damaging their plumbing system. If you are finding out a little too late, and you already have a plumbing emergency on your hands, you can trust us for prompt and professional solutions. Give us a call at (425) 228-3204 or use our online contact form to get service 24/7, 365 days a year.