The pandemic has really taken its toll on the nation’s plumbing. It was a time of natural disasters and people staying at home 12% more than usual. That meant plenty of time for homeowners to do crazy things that messed up their plumbing systems!
We all accept that a pipe will burst or a toilet will break from time to time. But that’s not what we’re talking about here. These mistakes happen when we decide to do something out of the ordinary.
Let’s take a look at 5 common residential plumbing mistakes you can make – and how not to make them!
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Will The Garbage Disposal Take a ___?
Ask any kitchen plumber, and they’ll tell you a few tales about the things people try to put down their garbage disposal.
They’re awesome for guzzling up vegetable scraps, cooked meat, and leftovers. Kitchen utensils and oyster shells? Not so much.
Educate everyone in the family about exactly what they can and cannot put down it. If you’ve got kids and you let them use it, consider putting up some stickers.
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Flushing Trash Down the Toilet
We’ve all had that should I/shouldn’t I moment, trying to decide if something can go down the toilet.
We’ve seen the advice that sanitary napkins and tampons are a no-no for obvious reasons. But what about those wipes that claim to be flushable?
What about a little diaper? Could it really hurt? The answer is yes, it could.
Flushable wipes are in actual fact anything but. They just don’t disintegrate like toilet paper and, er, other things we normally flush down the toilet. Most of us don’t have the plumbing repair tools to undo these clogs, so it’s time to call in a plumber.
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Too Many Fixtures
Many a residential plumbing system is badly designed, and can’t handle the number of plumbing fixtures.
Will you scold whoever’s in the shower if you wash your hands at the same time? That means your system doesn’t have the pressure to cope.
Before you install new plumbing, get some advice from an experienced plumber. There may be things you can do to increase the pressure, and avoid injuring your family.
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Trying to Fix a Leaky Faucet
How hard could repairing a faucet be? Over time, a lot of faucets start to leak. It might seem like a quick fix to grab a wrench and tighten things up.
But if you don’t have the know-how, you could have a major leak on your hands in no time. It’s better to shut off the water to the faucet and call in a professional.
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Overdoing the Drain Cleaner
Chemical drain cleaners can be great for unclogging drains. The problem is that they eat away at pipework as well. Use them too frequently and they can cause leaks.
This is one of the common plumbing issues that you can avoid by using a drain trap. This will stop hair and gunk from going into your drains and clogging them up.
Avoid Residential Plumbing Mistakes
Avoiding residential plumbing mistakes is not rocket science. It comes down to using your plumbing fixtures correctly. Follow the direction on cleaning products, and know your plumbing limitations!
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