When something goes wrong with your sink or toilet, it’s natural to try to fix it yourself before calling a plumber. Unfortunately, this is where you could make a plumbing mistake that will cost you by making the original problem worse. Keep your pipes in good condition and your out-of-pocket expenses low by avoiding these 8 common home plumbing mistakes.

  1. Using the wrong tool

Minor clogs can be fixed at home with a snake or plunger; however, these tools are not interchangeable. Using the wrong tool can compound your problem and leave you with a costly repair bill.

  1. Putting too much food down the garbage disposal

An overfilled garbage disposal can jam or break. To keep your disposal healthy, clear small chunks of food at one time.

  1. Putting the wrong items in the disposal

Which is worse for your garbage disposal, egg shells or potato peels? Actually, both are bad: Fibrous potato peels can tie up the blades, causing a jam that prevents your disposal from working properly. Egg shells grind up nicely, but turn into a silt-like powder that clog pipes.

  1. Flushing garbage down the toilet

Your toilet is for bodily waste only. Never flush garbage; it can cause a nasty clog.

  1. Leaving hair in shower drain traps

Hair prevents shower water from draining, causing standing water in the shower. Clear the hair manually before it clogs and requires professional attention.

  1. Putting weight on plumbing fixtures

Do you have a shower caddy hanging from your shower head? The weight of your shampoo and conditioner strains the pipes and can cause a leak behind the shower head.

  1. Pouring grease down drains

Fats will clog pipes and traps when they solidify. The best way to dispose of grease is to place it in a small jar and throw it in your garbage.

  1. Ignoring small leaks

This is the worst thing you can do! The longer you wait, the more damage will occur.
Have you ever made a home plumbing mistake that led to a costly repair? We’ve seen it happen plenty of times. Paying attention to these simple steps can save you from expensive repairs in the future.