Plumbing Practices You Need to Stop Doing Today
Most people take plumbing for granted until they are faced with some serious issues. While some plumbing fails are not in anyone's control, others are due to our habits and carelessness. We are guilty of some plumbing practices that cause issues like clogs, leaks, and pipe damage, which cost thousands of dollars in repairs and replacements.
Here are a few odd habits that homeowners need to give up right away to avoid an emergency plumber visit, and keep the home plumbing running efficiently:
Flushing everything down the toilet
We find it very convenient to toss things like litter, wipes, cotton balls, and feminine hygiene products down the toilet. All these things strain the pipes and can cause sewer blockages. Avoid toilet build-up and other plumbing problems by throwing trash in the trash can rather than toilets, even the products that are advertised and labeled as flushable.
Garbage disposal and drains abuse
If misused, garbage disposal and drains cost you dearly in repairs. The items that should never go down the disposal are oily, greasy, hard things like bones, fruit pits, fibrous, and expandable food items. Washing food scraps, waste, and hair down the drains contributes to the blocked garbage disposal and clogged drains.
Ignoring plumbing problems
Due to regular use, the plumbing system can develop some problems over time. A home plumbing system suffers the most from negligence. Most of us have a habit of ignoring minor leaks, clogs, low water pressure, lawn moisture, and tiny drips until they turn bad. Being proactive is vital to protect the home's plumbing and avoid small issues turning into big disasters, leading to higher water bills, and more pipe damage. The longer you ignore the minor plumbing issues, the costlier the repairs will be in the future.
Avoiding routine maintenance
Plumbing requires regular upkeep and maintenance. You can easily avoid big plumbing problems with routine pipe inspections by a professional plumber. Large plumbing appliances like water softener and water heater should be maintained at least once a year. Not replacing the hoses of the washing machine and dishwasher every five years, not keeping track of the water heater's age, leaving hoses connected in the winter, and avoiding insulating pipes are some of the plumbing habits that cost Americans dearly.
Using chemicals for clearing pipes
Homeowners rely a lot on chemicals to clean the drain pipes of clogs. While drain cleaners are effective in clearing small clogs, using them too often affects the pipe's inner walls, making them vulnerable to cracks.
DIY plumbing jobs
Most of us feel that we can skip the plumber and handle the plumbing jobs on our own. While it may appear tempting to go for cheaper DIY repair options, it can make the issues ten times worse and expensive. If you are not confident enough to take on the plumbing issues, call a professional plumber. They have the tools and equipment to complete the job quicker than DIY repairs and can ultimately be cheaper.
You will save a lot of money and conserve water by giving up these plumbing habits. If you have concerns regarding your plumbing practices, call a plumbing professional for help.
If you need a licensed, bonded, experienced plumber for plumbing installation and service in Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Queen Creek, Ahwatukee or San Tan Valley call Norfleet Family Plumbing Heating and Air at 480-681-1764.
