Plumbing repairs are something nobody wants to deal with. And yet, many homeowners are damaging their plumbing on a daily basis, thereby dooming themselves to eventual problems. Of course, most of them don't realize that what they're doing is detrimental to their plumbing—and you might be making the exact same mistakes. Keep reading to find out the common mistakes people make that damages their plumbing systems that might require emergency plumbing service in Pittsburgh, PA.
Flushing Foreign Objects
Unfortunately, toddlers aren't the only ones who flush things that they shouldn't. While most adults aren't trying to send their G.I. Joes down the toilet, many do overestimate what kinds of things their toilets can handle. Ultimately, if it's not body waste or toilet paper, it should not be put down the toilet. This means you should not be flushing any of the following:
- Paper towels
- Baby wipes
- Cleaning wipes
- Diapers
- Feminine hygiene products
- Food
- Kitty litter
Odds are that you've flushed more than one of these in your lifetime, and if you're still flushing them, you should stop. While these products may have gone down the drain before, it's only a matter of time before they block up a pipe and you encounter plumbing issues.
Overusing the Garbage Disposal
The garbage disposal is another part of home plumbing that many individuals overestimate. While your garbage disposal may seem to magically eat up clogs, that doesn't make it an infinite disposal site for food waste. In fact, there are certain foods that should never go into your garbage disposal at all, including flour, rice, fruit and vegetable peelings, bones, and potatoes.
These foods easily clog up the blender as well as the drain in your sink. Make sure these foods are tossed in the garbage can. Better yet, toss as much of your food waste in the garbage as possible. Scrape your plate into the trash before putting it in the sink to minimize the odds of a clogged pipe or broken garbage disposal.
Using Drain Cleaner
While the name might make you think drain cleaners are great for your pipes, they're really not. Most drain cleaners do more harm than good; they can corrode your pipes, which will lead to more severe clogs down the road. The next time you get a clog, try using a drain-cleaning tool or plunger instead, and get rid of that damaging drain cleaner.
The things that you put into your drains can have a major impact on your plumbing's life span. If you continue to abuse and misuse your plumbing, it will break down eventually, so do yourself a favor and stop making these common mistakes.
If your plumbing is giving your major troubles, you can contact Stahl Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning for emergency plumbing repair service in Pittsburgh, PA, any time of the day or night. Call 413-273-1000 for 24/7 emergency service.