Many of us might not realize it, but the plumbing system is one of the essential components of a property’s infrastructure. If the toilet, for instance, is clogged or overflowing, lives are disrupted and everyone living in the house gets frustrated. The same is also true for other plumbing problems, such as clogged drains, low water pressure, and leaky faucets or pipes.
While plumbing problems might be inevitable at some point, there are also cases where you or your family members are the ones to blame for such issues. It might be due to the way you care or maintain your plumbing or the things that you try to put down the drain. Gleaning from companies such as My Buddy The Plumber Heating & Air, LLC, here is how you might be damaging your plumbing:
Pouring harsh chemicals down the drain
Drain cleaners with strong chemicals might seem like an easy way to unclog your drain. The truth is that it can cause severe damages. This is why if you cannot fix a clog manually, it best to call a professional. A plumber can remove the clog immediately so that you can get back to your normal routines in no time.
Using toilet fresheners
You should also avoid drop-in toilet fresheners because they can contain harsh chemicals that can damage the working parts in your toilet tank. While they can make the water in your toilet bowl blue, these tablets can get stuck in the valve as they disintegrate. This can then cause blockages or prevent the toilet from flushing.
Tackling plumbing problems on your own
How-to videos and tutorials can make you think that you can tackle plumbing problems on your own. The sad part is that not knowing what you are doing can lead to more significant issues. The same is also true for temporary fixes or unskilled jobs. A much better way to handle the problem is to call a plumber who can fix it immediately and save you money in the long run.
Overloading your garbage disposal
Your garbage disposal can do you a disservice if you try to do the same. This means pushing through massive amounts of garbage and putting grease, vegetable peels, bones, eggshells, and other things. Doing so can cause blockages, leaks, and early failure of the disposal. You need to treat it right by putting the garbage slowly while running cold water.
Treating your toilet like a garbage can
Flushing things that don’t belong in the toilet can cause disasters later on. This is even true for items that are labeled flushable. Some of the things that you should never flush down the toilet include wipes, pads, cotton, diapers, and paper towels. Dental floss, cigarette buds, and pills also don’t belong in the toilet. The only things that you can flush are pee, poop, and toilet paper.
Not replacing an old water heater
Water heaters cannot serve you forever. They have an average service life of eight to 12 years. You have to take note that if you don’t replace them, they can break down and cause leaks, backups, and floods. This is why it is essential to do regular inspections. You should also know that repairing or replacing a water heater should only be done by professionals.
Stop damaging your plumbing system. Avoid the things mentioned above and always contact a plumber when dealing with problems or issues that you know nothing about.
