One small problem can cause a catastrophe if you’re not careful when it comes to plumbing. A quick DIY fix could lead to serious damage and costly expenses. Here are some common plumbing mistakes to avoid.
Plumbing Mistake #1—Too Much Drain Cleaner
You might think that using a drain cleaner instead of calling a plumber is a safe choice. What you want to be careful of, though, is using too much of it. Drain cleaners are made of serious chemicals that can damage galvanized plumbing. If you use drain cleaner frequently, your pipes could become leaky and corroded. Instead, consider using an auger or natural products.
Plumbing Mistake #2—Wrong Tools
The plumbers at Fite Plumbing are always equipped with the appropriate tools. Plumbing requires specific, professional tools that most people don’t have at home. Using the wrong tools can cause damage that ends up costing you a lot of extra money in the long run.
Plumbing Mistake #3—Leaving Your Water Running
Even if you think you’re not doing anything that requires the water to be turned off, you should err on the side of caution. Turn everything off anyway. To make sure you don’t miss any water sources, make sure to check your main valve as well as localized valves. You can usually find these around sinks and toilets, or basements and attics.
Plumbing Mistake #4—Putting Bad Things Down the Drain
Your sink shouldn’t be used as a way to dispose of garbage. This includes oil, grease, and coffee grounds. Other things like excess sauces, leftover foods, and large pieces of food can also severely damage plumbing. This kind of debris builds up over time and may require extensive repairs. It’s convenient to throw unwanted leftovers down the sink, but it’s not worth the damage it might cause.
Plumbing Mistake #5—Flushing the wrong things
You may think a lot of things that go down the toilet are safe for your pipes, but you might be surprised. Here are some things you should never flush, even if the packaging claims that it’s “flushable.” Flushable is not the same as good for your pipes.
- Baby wipes/wet wipes
- Cotton balls
- Feminine hygiene products (not even tampons)
- Pills
- Cigarette butts
- Diapers
- Paper towels
- Cat litter
Plumbing Mistake #6—Not Calling a Professional
The mistake that causes the most time and money is not calling a professional when something goes wrong. Sometimes we don’t get a call until it’s time to undo additional, costly damage. Seemingly harmless and minor plumbing issues can escalate quickly. If you aren’t comfortable taking care of a plumbing problem by yourself, or if a mistake has spiraled out of control, call us anytime at 317-271-5400. We’re here for you 24/7, no matter the emergency.
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