All too often, we find ourselves stuck in a plumbing jam. The sink is clogged, the toilet won’t flush, whatever the case may be, many homeowners find themselves in a panic and are tempted to fix the blockage themselves using do-it-yourself solutions. However, many of these problems are preventable instead of risking damage or injury due to lack of experience. Inevitably, when the problem gets bad enough, a plumber is called to fix the job. However, have you ever asked your plumber anything they wished you knew? Let’s go over some of these.
Stop Pouring Fats and Greases Down the Sink
Grease is one of the most common causes of kitchen sink clogs. Though some plumbers advocate hot water as a way to dissolve greases, all that does is turn your pipes into a taffy-like consistency that is extremely difficult to pull out with a drill. If you insist on pouring grease down your drain, at least wait until it cools off before following up with hot water. When it comes to your sink, stop pouring the following items down it:
- Bacon grease
- Butter
- Cooking oil
- Gravy
- Dairy products
- Peanut butter
- Mayonnaise
Don’t Shove Stuff Under the Sink
Many people tend to store cleaning items under their sink as a convenience factor, but it’s important not to cram items under the sink because it could stop water from flowing freely to the drain. When cleaning your home or gutting storage spaces, make sure that everything can breathe by keeping things pulled out away from the wall.
Use Plungers Correctly
There are different types of plungers out there, so it’s essential to know how to use each one correctly. If you’re dealing with a clogged toilet, a toilet plunger will work much better than a regular sink plunger will. Plus, this way, you won’t have suds all over the floor when the toilet bubbles up from repeated plunging attempts.
Only Flush Toilet Paper Down Your Toilet
Don’t use your toilet as a trash can! You might think it’s convenient to flush sanitary products or small items that you don’t want anymore, but this will cause the plumbing system to be more challenging to maintain. If sanitary products such as pads and tampons are flushed, they often cause problems with plumbing because those materials were never designed for that. These items were designed to be thrown away in garbage cans.
Don’t Treat Your Garbage Disposal Like Your Trash Can
Never use your garbage disposal as a trash can, where you’re rinsing off plates of food and carelessly chucking them down the drain. This includes everything from grease to meat scraps.
The dishwasher is for dishes, not all of your utensils. Soaking forks, spoons, and knives in the dishwater is a bad idea. They’ll quickly corrode and ruin the equipment. There’s also a chance that they could end up scratching or otherwise damaging your sink or pipes too.
Do Not Use Caustic Drain Cleaners
It’s important to know that not all drain cleaners are created equally. The acidic nature of some chemicals used in these products can damage your drain clog beyond repair if you use too much or leave it for a very long time. On top of that, if you don’t dilute the product as directed on the bottle and allow it to sit in the pipes for a very long time, those chemicals can eat away at your metal pipes.
Locate Your Water Shut Off Valve
If there’s a water shut-off valve for your house, make sure you know where it is in case it ever needs to be used. During an emergency where flooding has occurred, knowing where the valve is located will ensure that you can turn off the water even if it’s dark or under pressure.
Contact Us Today!
You deserve professionals who can provide quality services at a fair price. Certified Plumbing of Brevard is here to help with all your plumbing needs! Certified Plumbing provides 24 hour emergency service, 7 days a week and we service the entire county of Brevard. Call Certified Plumbing of Brevard today 321-676-0812
