Homeowners need plumbing that works. Unfortunately the drains get clogged and the toilet backs up. Regularly, we come across plumbing problems that are caused by homeowners. Here are some things that ruin your plumbing.
Pouring grease down the kitchen drain.
If you’re in the habit of pouring bacon grease down the kitchen-sink drain, you might as well call the plumber now. Grease is one of the best things for clogging drains.
Putting everything down the kitchen drain.
Don’t put everything down the garbage disposal. You should especially avoid putting flour, rice, potato peels (and some other peels) and many fibrous foods such as asparagus and chard down the garbage disposal.
Using the toilet as a trash can.
If it isn’t waste or toilet paper, don’t flush it. The toilet should not be used as a trash can. The toilet has a 3-inch drain pipe that leads into another drain pipe, which is THE drain pipe to your entire house. In other words, flushing one improper item down the toilet ultimately can stop up everything in the house.
Leaving hoses connected during winter.
This is a classic plumbing error. Hoses can cause damage when left out all year: they can lead to freezing of the outdoor faucet or its water supply pipe. It’s also very bad for your hose.
Using too much drain cleaner.
When used judiciously and on the right kind of clog, drain cleaners can be effective and relatively safe for drains. When used with abandon, they can corrode some drain materials, and they can actually make clogged drains worse.
Pouring chemicals into a septic system.
If you’re used to living with private septic, you probably know how to take care of it. But if you just bought a house with septic, you might not think twice about using chemicals like drain cleaner, chlorine bleach, paint and even anti-bacterial soaps. These chemicals kill the essential waste-eating bacteria in the septic tank.
Nailing or cutting into a wall with hidden plumbing pipes.
Know where you are nailing, screwing or sawing into a wall. You don’t want to hit the pipes.
Joining two different metals in piping.
When you hire a plumber, make sure they know what they are doing. When dissimilar metals, such as copper and steel, are touching, a process called galvanic action leads to corrosion. Corrosion leads to leaks. Such joints must be made with a dielectric union or other approved fitting. Be sure you plumber is using the right type of metal pipes.
For your plumbing problems in Wellesley, contact Greater Boston Plumbing.
Networx.com
Plumbing Problems Caused by Homeowners - Wellesley, MA
29 May 2013
