Plumbing is one of the most important things in any home or property. It’s designed to move water and waste from one place to another and in most cases, plumbing is designed to last for years with very little maintenance. 

However, 

We all know that a majority of homeowners will always have a plumbing issue every now and then. 

In fact, most plumbing problems are caused by our own actions and they end up costing us a lot of money in repairs. 

Well, it’s time to start avoiding these things and here’s a full list of some of the things that could ruin your plumbing:

Flushing Foreign Objects Down the Drain

Your toilet is not a garbage bin. You can’t just throw in everything you can think of in there and flush. Even though in some cases the objects can be flushed down, other bigger and stubborn objects may end up clogging your pipes. 

There are other safer alternatives to get rid of things like feminine hygiene products, wipes, or baby towels. Just use them and avoid costly plumbing repairs.

Relying Too Much on Liquid Drain Cleaners 

When your drains get clogged, it can be a stressful experience and you can be forgiven for wanting to take the quickest fix out there. 

But perhaps it may be a good idea to avoid that temptation. There is no doubt that liquid drain cleaners can unclog pipes but they have their own drawbacks. First, they contain very harsh chemicals that generate heat which may, in turn, cause your pipes to crack. The chemicals may also corrode your pipes, making them weaker over time. 

Besides, even though liquid drain cleaners don’t require any labor in unclogging pipes, they are not nearly as effective as advertised. Just use other safer and more natural ways to unclog the pipes for the best outcomes.

Pouring Grease Down the Drain

It’s not uncommon for people to clean up their pans over the sink and naturally, the grease used for cooking may easily end up in the plumbing. 

This is a huge mistake. Grease contains fat. The fat will easily build up along the pipes. Over time, the buildup will become too much and chances are it will block the pipes. 

This will eventually cause a clog that will require money and time to fix. A good rule would be to wipe off the grease in your pans before cleaning them up over the sink.

Trying to Handle Big Plumbing Jobs on Your Own 

DIY plumbing is a very common thing these days and there is nothing wrong with that. However, there are certain big plumbing projects that may require the attention of a professional plumber. 

Even though we understand the cost of professional plumbing might be high, it’s the only way to guarantee that bigger problems with your plumbing will be taken care of once and for all. Even experienced DIY plumbing enthusiasts are prone to mistakes that may affect how your overall plumbing works. 

In that case, before embarking on any big projects, maybe you should advertise the job and get quotes from different plumbers before picking the most affordable option.

Putting Potato Skin Down the Garbage Disposal

Most people will normally peel potatoes over the sink. It’s actually easier to do it that way and there is nothing wrong with it as long as you collect all the potato skins and throw them into the bin. There is always this temptation to wash down the potatoes’ skin down the garbage disposal. But it’s a bad idea! 

That skin will create a starchy thick mess once it’s processed by the garbage disposal. This thick mess will then be pushed down your pipes, increasing the risk of clogging significantly. A good rule would be to throw the skin into a compost pile to use as fertilizer for your home garden.

Keeping your plumbing working in good condition is always important and if you can avoid the simple things above, it should be easy to get it done.

Contact a professional to inspect your pipes or fix any plumbing issues you may have!