Everyone has a particular habit that they can’t help to stop. For instance, maybe you like biting your fingernails or chewing gum without closing your mouth. While those near you may dislike such bad habits and let you know that they don’t like it, such habits don’t cause any harm.
However, there are definitely bad habits that you should immediately stop. For instance, habits that damage your house’s plumbing system. Don’t know what I’m talking about? Read ahead and I’ll tell you more about your unintentional actions that are currently damaging your plumbing system.
Using The Toilet As A Waste Bin
Homeowners are always advised not to use their plumbing system as a waste bin. Just have a bin next to the toilet. While it might be convenient and effortless to toss used feminine products, wipes, and kitty litter down the toilet, it’s the last thing you should do.
Despite some products coming with a “flushable” label on their box, most of these items may cause problems in your plumbing. Although tissue paper dissolves easily in water, some items won’t.
Thus, avoid taking chances since non-flushable items can cause a serious blockage down the sewer line. Instead, dispose of non-flushable items in the waste bin and save yourself from costly unclogging. Toilet problems can be quite costly and a hassle to deal with. It’s best to just take preventive measures than having to pay a plumber every 6 months because your toilet won’t flush properly.
Ignoring Minor Pipe Leaks
Some leaks happen out of bad luck. Others happen as a result of the usual bad habits. Regardless of the cause, you should attend to the leaks soonest possible. While occasional drips from the faucets are often ignored, they can increase the water bill significantly.
Besides, pipe leaks can worsen over time and become a more serious pipe burst. Thus, leaving minor leaks unattended will eventually lead to costlier repairs soon. Avoid waiting for a disaster to strike and seek for professional plumbing repair as soon as you notice pipe leaks.
Having your items flooded is one thing that you definitely want to avoid as it would create unspeakable amounts of damage in your house. You can read more about how to repair your bathroom sink leak here.
Excessive use of drain cleaners
Chemical drain cleaners offer an easy and quick way to clear clogs from the drain pipes. However, they’re not the best method of unclogging drain pipes. Most of these cleaners contain powerful chemicals that clear the clogs.
While these chemicals might not cause a lot of damage when used only a few times, using them excessively will damage the pipes by eating them away. Consequently, the pipes will weaken and develop cracks. This could then lead to micro-leaks that evolve into a major flood.
Avoid using chemical drain cleaners. Try using manual methods such as a plumber’s snake or plunger to unclog your drains. If you want a more powerful option, try a biological drain cleaner, which uses bacteria and enzymes to dissolve a clog organically. Thus, your pipes won’t be harmed.
Abusing the garbage disposal
While it’s convenient to dispose of anything remaining on dirty dishes down the garbage disposal, you should realize that the disposal shouldn’t be used as a waste bin. The disposal isn’t designed to handle all manner of food scraps.
Maybe you’ve read somewhere or heard that pouring oil, hot grease, or melted fat down your kitchen sink won’t cause any harm after running hot water. However, you should never do that. Grease, fat, or oil will congeal after cooling down, thereby forming a thick layer of fat within the disposal.
As the fat builds up, it’ll form a serious clog. Also, avoid disposing of coffee grounds, pasta, rice, or fibrous foods do in your garbage disposal.
Disposing of hair down the drainage
Most people shave in their shower or bathroom sink and allow hair to get drained. However, hair can get stuck on the soap scum within the drain pipe.
Soap scum, hair, and other items may form a serious clog. Thus, you should avoid shaving in the shower or bathroom sink. If you have to, ensure the bathroom or sink drain has a strainer to catch any hair before it gets drained.
While it’s challenging to kick bad habits, you can easily ditch them by recognizing habits that appear harmful to your plumbing. Do away with the aforementioned habits to enjoy a more efficient and stronger plumbing system.