There is no way for homeowners in Arvada to avoid the plumbing issues associated with old water lines, fixtures, and appliances. However, there are many things that you are doing that could be damaging your home’s plumbing system and creating issues that will be costly to have repaired. Understanding some of the most common mistakes homeowners make regarding their plumbing is the best way to avoid damaging your home and expensive repair bills.
Damage To Kitchen Drains
Unfortunately, most homeowners see their garbage disposal and kitchen sink drain as indestructible. However, that is not the case. Even with a garbage disposal, you need to be very careful about what is washed down the drain. A disposal is only meant to grind up tiny bits of food waste rinsed from your dishes and cookware. So all those veggie peels and hunks of wasted food are going to create a problem. If you want to gather the food waste in the sink, place a mesh screen over the drain to prevent anything from going into the disposal. Then empty the screen into the trashcan.
Another kitchen drain concern involves grease and oil. You should never try to dispose of grease or cooking oil down the drain. Water and oil do not mix. So the water flows down the drain and is gone in seconds. However, the grease or oil is left stuck to the walls of the drain line to solidify into a sticky and stinky residue that will trap other debris. Use a can or jar to collect used oil and grease to be placed in a trash receptacle to avoid some severe drain clogs.
Expensive Bathroom Issues
Many homeowners use the solid drop-in toilet cleaning tabs to keep the toilet bowl clean and odor-free. However, they do not understand that these tabs release a significant amount of chemical cleaner when they hit the water in the toilet tank. That highly concentrated cleaner does more than clean. It also begins to eat away the finish on the porcelain toilet bowl. Soon you are scrubbing and cleaning constantly but are never able to remove the stains and odors. The only solution is a new toilet installation and a pledge never to use those chemical cleaning tabs again. Instead, rely on a squirt of cleaner and a trusty toilet brush to get the job done safely.
The final mistake is giving in to the fad of moist wipes. These items are marketed as flushable wipes. However, every plumber would be happy to dispute that rumor. These wipes are too thick and durable to disintegrate in the drain lines. Instead, they turn into a dense ball that will likely create a clog. The only paper product that is suitable to flush is good old-fashioned toilet paper. If you are out of TP, a single mist wipe can be flushed. But it is not a long-term solution.
If you are facing plumbing issues because of these common mistakes, call (720) 650-2455 to request an appointment with the Flatirons Plumbing team.
