3 Common Plumbing Mistakes to Avoid in the Coming Year
Plumbing systems are designed to handle necessary issues, but getting the most out of them in the home takes some effort. Too many people fall into bad habits that harm their plumbing, leading to poor outcomes that require repairs and high water bills. Luckily, the new year allows homeowners to try something new. This New Year, set a resolution to take better care of your plumbing by forgoing these three bad habits.
Using Liquid Chemical Drain Cleaners for Clogs
Chemical drain cleaners are popular at most hardware stores because they are easy to sell. Who wouldn’t want to spend a couple of bucks on a can of drain cleaner instead of paying a plumber’s trip charge? The problem is that the makers of chemical drain cleaners are trying to sell a product, not care for a home’s plumbing.
The truth is, most plumbers don’t recommend chemical drain cleaners, and most condemn their use. The reason is that the harsh chemicals used in drain cleaners can easily damage piping to the point that major repairs are needed. Instead of paying a small fee for a quick drain cleaning visit from a local plumber, a homeowner will be stuck paying for major repairs. Stop taking the risk with harsh chemicals. Try some other DIY drain cleaning tips first, or skip straight to calling in an expert for routine drain cleaning.
Not Keeping Up With Plumbing Maintenance
The plumbing in the home consists of piping, fixtures, and appliances. Each of these is a potential point of failure that needs periodic attention to maximize its performance and longevity. Plumbing maintenance is a service offered by experts that aims to do just that.
During plumbing maintenance, a technician will perform steps like:
- Inspecting visible piping
- Looking for corrosion
- Verifying water pressure
- Cleaning drains
- Looking for leaks
- Testing water quality
Water heater maintenance is also integral to this process. Water heaters must be drained and flushed yearly to ensure they don’t form a scale that reduces efficiency. Likewise, technicians inspect the anode rod during this procedure and replace it if necessary to protect it from corrosion. By remembering this service annually, homeowners can improve their water heater’s reliability and lifespan.
Putting the Wrong Things Down Drains and Toilets
The most widespread bad habit that most homeowners have is their drain and toilet habits. While drains and toilets can handle pretty big messes, the less homeowners tempt fate, the better their experience will be. In the perfect situation, homeowners should ensure that only wastewater and human waste go down the drain or toilet. Everything else should be diverted into another waste stream. To accomplish this:
- Discard all leftovers and cooking refuse in the trash
- Put trash cans in every bathroom
- Flush toilets often
- Run the garbage disposal after dishes and flush with plenty of water
- Keep foreign debris out of toilets
By adopting these three habits, homeowners can avoid problematic plumbing in the coming year.
About PlumbTite
PlumbTite simplifies pricing and charges only for work performed, helping homeowners avoid service fees. They also offer a plumbing maintenance plan to improve every home’s plumbing. Call today for plumbing service in Cincinnati, OH.