Are You Helping or Hurting Your Plumbing?

A lot of us like to consider ourselves DIY-ers. We like to save money by fixing our own plumbing and other household problems. We get it. But sometimes you’re actually doing more harm than good. We also all have some bad habits that contribute to our plumbing problems. Are you sure the work you’re about to do won’t wind up hurting your plumbing?

Avoid Hurting Your Plumbing. Don’t Flush Foreign Objects

Toilets are made for one specific job. Well, maybe two. But as so much goes on in a bathroom, it’s not unheard of for some to attempt to flush say, a feminine hygiene product, baby wipes, paper towels, etc. down their toilet. Even if it seems to go down okay, this can wreak havoc on your plumbing in the long run. Not only can it cause an initial clog, but items like the ones listed above can damage your pipes and your flushing system without you knowing it. 

The kitchen sink is another place people sometimes want to use as a “catch all.” Don’t do it. Rinsing food and other items down the drain is never a good idea. One of the main culprits is grease. We all love bacon, right? Well, once you’re done frying it up make sure you don’t run the grease down the sink. You may think you get rid of it with hot water but it can still coat your pipes and cause damage and clogs over time.

Don’t Rely on Liquid Drain Cleaners

This quick fix sounds so easy. A cheap bottle of some kind of chemical, a slowish dump down the drain, flush with hot water and done right? Not so fast. So often these over the counter remedies don’t work, they may clear the drain a little bit, or move the clog further along in your pipes, but they don’t actually solve the problem. It just gets harder to fix when you need to call a real plumber. 

There’s also the harsh chemicals used in many of these cleaners. They can heat up, crack your pipes or have dangerous reactions to the corrosion and other material in your pipes. These can also be dangerous for kids and pets. Many require to be left in the drain for a period of time. This allows the smell and effects of these chemicals to linger and fill up an often small closed-up room. 

Don’t Forget Maintenance

When plumbing works, it’s easy to forget. Unfortunately that increases the chance of it not working. Water heaters are a good example of that. If you haven’t replaced yours, typically within the last 8 to 13 years, you could be putting yourself at risk. Leaks can be extremely costly fixes. Plus your energy bills increase. If you notice a drop in water temperature or loud sounds, it may be time to replace it.

As summer ends and you think about winter prep, don’t forget your garden hoses. Many people remember to turn off the water to outside faucets, but forget to disconnect the hoses. If you keep it connected this can cause cracks in the hose and the pipe itself. Potentially causing leaks both inside and out. And of course you want to protect your pipes from freezing. Insulate them when you can, make sure to use heat tape on pipes that are along exterior walls and to keep your house at a safe temperature.

Stop Hurting Your Plumbing. Call Super Terry Instead!

Whether your plumbing problems are self-imposed or unavoidable, The Terry’s Plumbing team can help you solve all your plumbing problems. Check out our website to learn more about the services we offer and give us a call.