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