Why You Need to STOP Making These Plumbing Mistakes
“We all make mistakes — we’re only human!”
While this sentiment is true, repeatedly making the same mistakes can have a negative impact on your life. For example, making the same plumbing mistakes can have disastrous effects on your plumbing system.
To avoid a plumbing emergency, it’s best to know which mistakes you’re making and why they’re so bad for your home.
Mistake #1: Flushing Things Other Than Toilet Paper
The only things that should be flushed down the toilet are toilet paper and your waste (you know what waste we’re talking about).
Do NOT flush any other item! This means no flushing cotton swabs, cotton balls, feminine hygiene products, paper towels, and anything else you can think of!
Even if the product says it’s “flushable” or “disposable” — stay away from them. They won’t break down the same way as toilet paper, therefore, they can easily cause clogs and backups.
Mistake #2: Turning Your Toilet Water Blue
Turning your toilet water blue is something some homeowners like (although, we don’t know why?). This is a result of drop-in toilet tank fresheners.
These fresheners contain harsh chemicals that can slowly cause the parts within your toilet to wear down faster. Keeping your water clear will help keep you in the clear!
Mistake #3: You Won’t Upgrade Your Old Water Heater
The average water heater will last roughly a decade (as long as you are providing it with the maintenance it needs). As your water heater approaches this age, the likelihood of it failing increases with each passing day.
Allowing your water heater to surpass the recommended lifespan could result in your water heater failing on you out of nowhere — or even “exploding” which will cause massive flooding in your home.
When you do replace your water heater, opt for the tankless water heater as it is more energy efficient, cost-effective, and has a longer lifespan.
Mistake #4: Not Everything Can Go Down the Disposal
The garbage disposal in your kitchen sink sure can shred through a lot of food scraps. However, not every food scrap should be put into the disposal.
Do not put these items into your garbage disposal: potato skins, bones, eggshells, banana peels, popcorn kernels, onion skins, fruit pits, celery, asparagus, or any form of grease or fat.
Keep the disposal to basic forms of food scraps like vegetable ends, soft food, ice cubes, and soap.
Mistake #5: You Can’t Locate Your Main Water Shutoff Valve
When a leak springs and water is pouring into your home, it’s important to know how to stop the flow of water. This is why you need to know where the main water shutoff valve is without even having to think about it.
Failing to locate this during a plumbing emergency will cause your home to receive more water damage than there needs to be — which is a very expensive mistake on your part!
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If you don’t know you’re making a mistake and you keep making it, your plumbing system could become seriously damaged.
When something does go wrong with your plumbing system or you need a plumbing fixture replaced, give us a call and we’ll send one of our pros out to you right away!
