One of the most important tasks that many homeowners overlook is keeping their plumbing in top shape. Major plumbing issues can arise without proper maintenance and cause big problems for your home. While there are some of the obvious things that everyone homeowner knows, such as not flushing diapers and other common sense-related things, it’s also important to know the massive impact that your plumbing can have on your house and your wallet. So, how can you keep your pipes in good shape, and how can you completely avoid a plumbing emergency? Keep reading on to learn everything!
Do Not Flush Paper Towels or Flushable Wipes
You need to be careful when it comes to what you flush down the toilet. For starters, flushable wipes aren’t exactly flushable, regardless of what the packaging tells you. Paper towels should especially not be flushed down the toilet. You can even deal with blocked drains where toilet paper hasn’t completely dissolved. Overall, it’s a challenging decision, but it’s so important to be cautious with what you’re putting down.
These products do not break down the way toilet paper does and are a serious cause of clogs in sewer systems. All non-flushable items can damage pumps that move wastewater to treatment plants and result in costly sewer backups. This is clearly no position you want to be in. You could switch to a bidet; this is eco-friendly, and you’ll be significantly lowering the chance of dealing with clogged pipes.
Don’t Pour Grease Down the Drain
Nearly every homeowner knows to do this with their kitchen sink, but you’d be surprised to learn how often with still happens! Pouring grease down the drain can cause clogs and even lead to backups. Not only is it dangerous for your own plumbing, but it also has a negative impact on the environment. Unlike water, fat molecules have long hydrocarbon chains that allow them to pack tightly together at room temperature and solidify into a clump when they cool. Getting grease out is a hassle, and it will keep solidifying as it goes down the drain.
This can be particularly harmful to underground sewage lines, as pipes can’t handle the same high temperatures that cooking oils do. Over time, these clogs can lead to serious sewage issues that affect your entire home’s drainage system. So, this isn’t only about grease being poured in the kitchen, but this also counts for oiling pulling for your teeth and greasy hair oils too.
Keep Hair Away From Your Drains
If you or someone else in your home has hair, then chances are you have hair surrounding your drain. Hair clogs in drains are one of the most common plumbing problems, and they can cost you a lot of money to fix. The best way to avoid this problem is to keep hair away from your drains. Brushing your hair before you shower effectively removes strands that would otherwise clump together and create a clog. This will save you a lot of time and frustration when it comes to drain cleaning. There are plenty of DIY methods out there to get the hair out of the drain, so you should definitely try those!
