5 Bad Habits That Harm Your Home's Plumbing

Your plumbing system is an important part of your home. It ensures that you always have a supply of clean water and facilitates the disposal of wastewater in a safe manner, among other things. That’s why whenever a plumbing issue comes up, it can certainly be quite stressful for the entire household. Hence, it’s important to learn good plumbing practices to minimise the occurrence of such issues in the future.

Unfortunately, some of your habits might just be slowly destroying your home’s plumbing. Check out our list below to know which ones you may be guilty of and so you can avoid them moving forward.

Letting Hair Down the Drain

Losing a few hair strands during a shower is completely normal. The problem comes when you forget to clean them up and they end up going down your shower drain. Thin they may be, those hair strands can still accumulate over time which leads to clogging that damages your pipes. This same issue also applies for people who shave over their sink and just wash the hair down the drain with water.

To remedy this, try using a removable mesh screen that you can put over the drain as you shower or shave. It will act as a sieve to catch fallen hairs, which you can then properly dispose of later in the trash. If you do happen to experience clogged drains due to excessive hair build-up, consider calling plumbers Dunedin residents trust to inspect your drains and unblock them.

Underestimating Small Leaks

When you notice a small leak in one of your pipes, what do you do? If your answer is “Just deal with it later,” then you’re inevitably setting yourself up for a potential plumbing disaster. While small drips may seem inconsequential, you can actually lose gallons of water a day. Not only is this wastage bad for the world’s limited resources, but it can also lead to higher water bills.

Instead of overlooking minor pipe leaks, take initiative and have them fixed early on. Consider calling for emergency plumbing services if you don’t have any DIY plumbing experience to quickly handle the problem and have it be one less thing to worry about.

Using Too Much Chemical Drain Cleaner

Chemical drain cleaners can be quite convenient to use as a quick fix to clear blockages. However, too much of it can actually damage your pipes and cause more trouble for you in the long run. That is because the chemicals in drain cleaners can produce heat and gas in your pipes as it does its job, thus shortening your pipe’s lifespan. Eventually, your pipes will get corroded and you’ll be looking at a costly drainpipe replacement bill.

Moreover, in instances when a leak may happen in one of your underground pipes, the chemicals can seep through the ground. This can damage nearby plants or tree roots and even contaminate the water. Hence, lessening or completely avoiding the use of chemical drain cleaners is both beneficial for your plumbing system and an eco-friendly move. 

Careless Flushing and Disposal Habits

Be careful of flushing unnecessary things down your toilet such as hygiene products, paper towels, wipes, and the like, as this habit will surely lead to a clogged toilet. Even if the package of wet wipes says they’re flushable, it’s better to just throw it properly in the trash can. To curb the habit, put a small bin beside the toilet for quick disposal of any trash. 

In addition, try not to wash scraps of food down your drain as well. Even small particles can clump up once they’re in your pipes and lead to blockages. Pouring fat or grease down your sink as a means to dispose of them is also a big no-no. These oily substances can stick to the sides of your pipes until they thicken into a layer, causing clogging problems.

Forgetting Plumbing Maintenance

Even when you’re not explicitly noticing any major plumbing problems, it’s still best to call your trusty plumber to do some inspections on your piping system every now and then just to make sure. This sort of regular maintenance can help spot problems early on, allowing them to be fixed before they become a bigger disaster in the future. 

Some of the common maintenance activities that your plumber would do are to check your water pressure, clean your drains, and check on the efficiency of your plumbing fixtures. If anything needs to be fixed, they can usually be handled on the spot for free or for a minimal fee. 

When it comes to your plumbing needs—whether it’s an emergency leak fix, a drain laying project, or a gas fitting job—then Mains Plumber has got your back. We’re a trusted plumbing services provider in Dunedin that offers decades of experience to remedy any plumbing issue you may have. We greatly value our customers’ time, so you can count on us for quick turnaround while ensuring top-quality work. Don’t hesitate to give us a call today and let’s get that plumbing problem all fixed up.