Of course, plumbing companies rely on your plumbing crises for business. But that doesn’t mean they want you to be constantly setting yourself up for completely avoidable plumbing repairs. Here are seven of the top mistakes plumbing companies wish you would stop making in your home:
- Treating Your Toilet Like a Garbage Can
Only waste and toilet paper should be flushed down the toilets in your home. It really is that simple. No feminine hygiene products, no paper towels, and no fish. (You may be confused by all the wipes and similar products that are being marketed as “flushable”; the current prevailing stance in the industry is that while they may not always cause problems, it’s probably not worth taking the risk.)
- Using Chemical Drain Cleaners
While liquid drain cleaners may seem like a convenient way of clearing a clog, they can do permanent damage to your pipes. If plunging and a gentle snaking can’t take care of a slow or clogged drain, it’s time to call for a professional drain cleaning.
- Using Toilet Fresheners
The chemicals in freshening tablets that get dropped in your toilet’s tank can cause parts to wear out more quickly. Plus, they can break up and jam the flush valve — and nobody wants to be the person who finds out the toilet won’t flush all of a sudden.
- Overloading the Garbage Disposal
Garbage disposals aren’t meant to handle grease or extremely fibrous foods. Slowly feed small amounts of food particles in, and make sure you have a stream of cool water running as well. This should go without saying, but don’t try to clear a stalled garbage disposal yourself unless you’ve completely disconnected the power (not just flipped the switch).
- Not Having Backflow Prevention
Sometimes, a sewage backup has to do with overloaded municipal sewers (frequently during rainstorms). You can prevent a huge mess in your own home by having a backflow protection system installed. It’s worth the investment.
- Not Having Leak Detection
For only a few hundred dollars, you can get a leak detection system that will alert you to leaks in your water heater, dishwasher, sinks, etc. So why do so few homeowners have one?
- Messing With the Hot Water Heater
Fiddling with the pressure valve on your hot water heater could result in scalding hot water being dispensed, seriously endangering you and anyone in the vicinity. It’s best to let professionals deal with adjusting or draining your tank.
Have you ever worked with plumbing companies? What other mistakes do property owners make repeatedly? Share your thoughts in the comments.
