Common Household Habits That Hurt Your Plumbing

Taking care of your plumbing system is crucial to prevent costly repairs down the line. However, some of your seemingly harmless habits can damage your plumbing. Here are some ordinary everyday habits that can slowly damage your plumbing system.

Pouring Oil and Fat Down the Drain

Cooking oil, fat, or grease may seem like liquids when poured, but they solidify and congeal as they cool, creating blockages within the pipes. These blockages can cause clogs, backups, and even damage to your plumbing system, leading to costly repairs.

Disposing of cooking oil, fat, and grease is crucial for maintaining a functional plumbing system and protecting the environment. One of the best methods is to allow the used oil, fat, or grease to cool down after cooking. Once it has cooled and solidified, you can carefully pour it into a container, such as an old can or jar. Seal the container tightly and dispose of it in the garbage or recycle it.

Using Chemical Drain Cleaners

While drain cleaners can effectively dissolve blockages in pipes, they often contain strong and corrosive chemicals that can cause more harm than good in the long run. These chemicals can eat away at the interior of your pipes, leading to weakening, leaks, and potential pipe failure over time. In addition, drain cleaners can pose health risks to you and the environment if not used properly.

Using a plunger or a drain snake can be effective for minor clogs. For more stubborn blockages, consider using natural solutions like a mixture of baking soda and vinegar followed by hot water or investing in a drain strainer to prevent debris from entering the pipes in the first place.

If the problem persists, it's advisable to contact a professional plumber who can safely and effectively address the issue without causing further damage to your pipes.

Ignoring Standing Water on the Bathroom Floor

Allowing water to stand on the bathroom floor for extended periods can damage the plumbing system components that are located underground. The moisture can seep into the floor, walls, and other structures, potentially causing rot, corrosion, and other forms of damage. This can result in costly repairs and renovations.

Placing a rug or mat outside the shower or bathtub area can help absorb excess water and prevent it from pooling on the floor.

Flushing Foreign Objects Down the Toilet

Flushing anything other than human waste and toilet paper down the toilet can lead to serious plumbing and sewage issues. Many people often underestimate the impact of improper flushing and may not realize the potential consequences until a blockage or backup occurs.

Items like paper towels, feminine hygiene products, food, toys, jewelry, and other foreign objects are not designed to break down easily. When these items are flushed down the toilet, they can accumulate and create clogs within the pipes. These clogs can cause backups, leading to wastewater not being able to flow properly, potentially resulting in sewage flooding into homes or causing damage to the sewage system.

To prevent these issues, educate household members about what can and cannot be flushed down the toilet. Placing clear signs in bathrooms and providing proper disposal options for items like paper towels and hygiene products can raise awareness.

Abusing The Garbage Disposal

Treating a garbage disposal like a trash bin can lead to clogs, jams, and damage to the disposal unit. Grease and fats from cooking can solidify and accumulate in your pipes, leading to clogs and blockages. It's best to let grease cool and then dispose of it in the trash.

To keep your garbage disposal functioning well, you should run cold water while using the disposal and for a short time afterward.

Are you facing the frustration of clogged pipes or a stubbornly slow-draining tub? At Daytona Plumbing, we understand the inconvenience these issues can cause. Our team of dedicated plumbers is just a call away.