Plumbing is one of those things that we rarely think about until something goes wrong with it. Every day we use and abuse our house’s plumbing without a second thought. But, did you know that some of the things you’re doing may be damaging your home’s plumbing? Here are six things you should avoid doing to keep your plumbing system healthy.
Using Drain Cleaner
We’ve all had a blocked drain at one point or another. You may think that the convenient thing to do is head to your local store and purchase a bottle of liquid drain cleaner. But, it turns out that these drain cleaners can do more harm than good. Inside these bottles are harmful chemicals that can eat away at your pipes and cause further damage.
Putting Foreign Objects Down the Drain
After a meal, it’s common to want to place your dirty plate directly into the sink without removing larger food particles. But, we assure you that it’s better to take the time to throw away large food particles into a trash can before placing your plate inside the sink. This applies to other foreign objects that should never enter a drain. Your plumbing system will thank you for it.
Pouring Grease Down the Drain
Similar to putting foreign solid objects down the drain, pouring oil down the drain can lead to serious plumbing problems. That is because although hot grease is liquid, once it cools it will become more solid and stick to the inside of your pipes. The more grease that is poured down the drain, the quicker the drain will clog.
Using Drop-in Toilet Fresheners
Everyone wants an effortlessly clean toilet. But, the drop-in toilet fresheners are actually damaging to your toilet. When the chlorine inside the tablet of the freshener dissolves, it can cause corrosion to the gaskets and washers. It’s best to stick with old fashion scrubbing the bowl using a sponge and toilet bowl cleaner.
Not Replacing Hoses on Washing Machines and Dishwashers
You can not set and forget your washing machine and dishwasher. These appliances utilize hoses that need to be replaced every five years. If it’s been a while since you’ve replaced them, or you can’t remember a time when you’ve ever replaced them, they will suddenly burst and cause a flood.
Fixing Things on Your Own
Never try to cut costs and attempt to tackle complex plumbing problems on your own. It requires extensive knowledge and experience to identify the root cause of a plumbing problem and appropriately fix it. As an untrained DIY plumber, you can end up doing more harm than good.
Professional Plumbing Services
Let Michael Runk Plumbing and Heating handle your plumbing for you. With professional plumbing repair and MD plumbing maintenance services, your plumbing system will always remain healthy and in-tact. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.