Common Plumbing Mistakes That Could Be Disastrous

As a homeowner, you've become accustomed to your house's quirks, including your plumbing. With time and a few mishaps, you've gotten good at fixing any clogged toilets and other minor plumbing issues. Unfortunately, you might also be making some major plumbing mistakes that could prove disastrous and costly.

Here are a few common plumbing mistakes that are doing serious harm to your pipes and what to do instead to take care of your plumbing system.

Misusing Your Garbage Disposal

Many homeowners overuse and abuse their garbage disposal, which is hard on your plumbing. You should decide how you want to use your garbage disposal and make sure that you have the correct one installed. If you use your garbage disposal frequently, you need to get a heavy duty one. A generic garbage disposal should be used properly and only as needed, which helps protect your pipes from unnecessary corrosion or damage. Follow a few simple tips to help you correctly operate and care for your garbage disposal.

Run Your Garbage Disposal Often

Even if you rarely use your garbage disposal, you should run it several times a week. This will help break up and remove any leftover foods, which will prevent odors, damage, and corrosion.

Use Only Cold Water

You should use cold water when running your garbage disposal. Hot or warm water will cause the food debris to melt or soften and stick to the disposal blades. Cold water will harden the food debris, which will help it dislodge and safely head down your plumbing.

Know What Not to Put Down the Disposal

Several items should never be put down your garbage disposal, including grease, oil, plastic, metal, and pasta. Only put bones, corn cobs and other items of that nature if it is a heavy duty one.

Clean the Disposal Frequently

Periodically cleaning your garbage disposal will help remove the food debris that can clog and damage your plumbing. The easiest way to do this is with baking soda and white vinegar. The chemical reaction that occurs between the products will safely and effectively remove food debris from the garbage disposal blades.

Relying on Chemical Drain Cleaners

Clogs happen and when they do, the easiest method to clear them out is with a store-bought drain cleaner. Unfortunately, these cleaners contain caustic chemicals that can damage your plumbing, and these cleaners often aren't effective. This means that the drain cleaner will sit on top of the clog, causing even more damage.

Instead, you can choose safer ways to clean your drains. The best option is to contact your plumber. A plumber will have the skills to not only clear the clogs, but a professional will also provide you with tips to help prevent clogs from forming in the future.

Overlooking Small Leaks

If you've noticed a small leak in one of your pipes you might think it's not a big deal. Because the leak is not causing obvious damage, you might ignore it. Over time, that small hole or damage can turn into a huge disaster that will be difficult and costly to repair.

Instead, if you notice a leak or hole in your pipes, have it repaired by a professional right away. Even a small amount of damage can be difficult to repair and should be handled by a licensed plumber.

Not Knowing How to Handle a Plumbing Emergency

From a burst pipe to an overflowing toilet, plumbing emergencies need to be handled quickly and correctly. If you are prepared, the situation will be dealt with and any damage will be minimized. Unfortunately, if you aren't ready to handle the emergency, it could cost you a lot of time and money to correct the issue.

The first step to handling any plumbing emergency is to learn how to turn off your water. If the issue is isolated to a toilet or sink, locate the stop valve, which will be found right under the fixture. In situations where you need to turn off the water to the rest of the house, you must locate the main shutoff valve.

Typically, the valve will be located at the point where the cold water pipe enters your house. Another spot you might find the shutoff valve is near the water heater. Once the water is shut off, contact a plumber right away. The cause of the emergency and the repair should both be handled by a professional.

Skipping a Yearly Plumbing Inspection

Finally, one of the biggest mistakes that homeowners make when it comes to their plumbing is skipping a yearly inspection. During this inspection, a plumber will not only pinpoint and repair any minor problems, but the plumber will also look over your sinks, drains, fixtures, and appliances, including your water heater.

This annual inspection is an inexpensive and easy way to ensure your plumbing works properly, and you avoid any minor issues or major disasters.

From misusing and abusing your garbage disposal to skipping a yearly inspection, several common plumbing mistakes could lead to avoidable disasters. If you have any further questions about how to prevent future plumbing issues or tackle your current plumbing problems, contact the professionals at Henry’s Service All .