24 Hour Plumber | 5 Plumbing Mistakes That Could Be Ruining Your Pipes

24 Hour Plumber | There are several plumbing issues that homeowners try to repair on their own without calling a 24 hour plumber. If you’re one of them, however, you might be ruining your plumbing without even knowing it. Take a look at these five plumbing mistakes to save your pipes from deterioration.

1. Flushing the Wrong Objects Down the Toilet

One big mistake that many homeowners make is flushing more than toilet paper and waste down the toilet. You shouldn’t flush feminine hygienic products, food or paper towels. Also, be careful that children don’t throw toys in the toilet. All of these items can clog the drain pipe that connects your toilet with the waste line. This can block your entire plumbing system.

 

2. Pouring Grease Down the Drain

Cooking meat usually leaves behind grease, and many homeowners just pour it into the kitchen sink. However, this is exactly what you shouldn’t do. When the grease becomes hard inside the drain and pipes, it creates a blockage that requires a plumber to fix. Rather than putting it down the drain, throw it in the trash.

 

3. Using the Garbage Disposal Wrong

 

Your garbage disposal is designed to break up leftovers to go down the drain. However, putting in too much food will accelerate how quickly the blades wear down. This will eventually make the garbage disposal useless.

 

Additionally, there are certain foods you shouldn’t put through your garbage disposal. These foods can clog the drain and the blades of the unit:

 

• bones,

• coffee grounds,

• corn husks,

• egg shells,

• flour,

• fruit and vegetable peels,

• meat,

• nuts,
• pasta,

• potatoes

• rice.

4. Using Drain Cleaner Too Much

 

You probably turn to drain cleaners rather than plumbers when you have clogs in your drains. While using drain cleaners can remove clogs, they also corrode your pipes with excessive use. This can lead to more severe clogs that end up costing you more later.

 

Additionally, you need to be careful about where you use drain cleaners. Although most products are safe for bathtubs, sinks and showers, they can damage toilets. Make sure to read the label carefully before you use it.

5. Mixing Up Pipe Parts and Types

 

Many homeowners don’t double check the pipe materials and parts that they need to fix leaky pipes. They use the wrong types or sizes of parts, believing they can make do. However, copper and galvanized metal pipes should never directly connect because of the risk of corrosion. This can cause joint leaks and other pipe damage over time. Also, trying to make wrong parts fit might work in the beginning, but a leak is likely to develop.

 

If you’ve made any of these mistakes, you may need a plumber to inspect your plumbing system for potential damage. Red Cap Plumbing is the leading plumbing service in Tampa Bay and offers 24 hour plumber emergency response. Follow us on Google Plus to learn more!