If you're like most people, you probably don't think about your drains until there's a problem, and by then, it's often too late. In this blog post, we'll discuss some of the worst things you can do to your home's plumbing drains - things that will cause clogs and other problems down the road. Read on to learn what not to do and how to keep your drains flowing freely!
The Worst Things People Do to Their Drain Pipes
The following bad habits guarantee the need for a plumber in the near future.
Bad Habit 1: Pouring grease into the kitchen sink.
It may be liquid when it goes down, but warm grease quickly cools, solidifies, and sticks to the sides of your pipes, causing slow-moving clogs that eventually become total blockages.
Instead of pouring grease from cookware into your sink, pour it into a foil-lined bowl or jar, let it cool and solidify, and then throw it in the trash. When washing greasy pans, wipe excess grease off with a paper towel first to help limit the grease globs that end up down your drain.
Bad Habit 2: Flushing wet wipes, even when the packaging says they're "flushable."
They might go down at first, but even so-called flushable wipes don't break up easily. Sooner or later, they're bound to cause a clog. Always discard wet wipes into the wastebasket to avoid any issues.
Did You Know: Toilet paper is the only paper you should be flushing. Other types of paper that seem similar - like facial tissue, napkins, and paper towels - are designed to hold up to moisture longer than toilet paper. For this reason, they'll hold their shape for longer in your pipes and be more likely to cause clogs.
Bad Habit 3: Forgetting to use drain covers.
Hair, soap scum, and other debris can easily build up in a sink or tub drain, causing clogs. To help prevent this, always use a drain cover in your tubs and showers. These covers will catch the debris before it has a chance to clog your drains.
Bad Habit 4: Using chemical drain cleaners.
Drain cleaners bought off the shelves often contain harsh, corrosive chemicals. These substances can damage some pipe materials and are often ineffective at clearing clogs deep down in a home's drain and waste system. Furthermore, drain cleaners can be hazardous to use, especially if they contain dangerous ingredients like concentrated sulfuric acid.
Instead of relying on chemical drain cleaners to clear blockages, try a plunger or a drain snake. If you have a clog that persists, call in a professional plumber to help clear it safely and effectively.
Bad Habit 5: Pouring DIY and craft materials down the drain.
It's tempting to pour leftover glue or paint down the drain or wash oily rags in the sink, but these materials can cause serious clogs. Keep in mind that paint, adhesives, and mortar become solids with time, and those substances will become solids inside your pipes.
Bad Habit 6: Flushing dental floss, cotton balls, cotton swabs, and other trash items down the toilet.
While these items may seem small, they can cause big problems. Dental floss and cotton balls, for example, don't break down easily and can quickly cause clogs. Cotton swabs (Q-Tips) can also get stuck in pipe bends and prevent waste and toilet paper from passing through.
Bad Habit 7: Ignoring "slow" drains.
If water is draining slowly from your sink or shower, then you know there is a clog forming. A clog never gets better on their own, and by not attending to it, you're allowing it to get more severe. If a clog gets severe enough, it can cause a backup in your home's plumbing system. In some cases, the buildup of pressure in the pipe can cause a leak.
Rock Hill Drain Cleaning Service
Do you need help with a clogged drain in your home in Fort Mill or Charlotte? At Precision Plumbing, Heating & Air, our Rock Hill plumbers provide top-notch drain cleaning services to help your home’s plumbing system get back on its feet: (803) 310-6262.