Almost every industry or product has some misinformation associated with it. Unfortunately, it often takes far too long to realize the untruths. Something as simple as your mother telling you that a garbage disposal system can handle all of the old food in the fridge as long as you run hot water with it can be the cause of many ruined units.
Garbage disposals are meant to get rid of small amounts of table scraps, with the water running on cold as to not overheat the unit.) What we really want to talk about, though, are your toilet habits and how small mistakes can affect your home’s plumbing. Keep reading for more information!
Pipes & Plumbing, Oh My!
You may not realize that simple habits of doing or not doing certain things can damage your home’s plumbing.
Believe it or not, your pipes, toilets, and plumbing are all quite delicate and need to be cared for like the rest of your house.
Here are a few things you should watch out for:
- Flushing grease: grease has no place in your toilet or plumbing. As grease or oil cools, it congeals. Over time there is more and more deposited, creating clogs in your drains. Although it may seem like the grease flushes away just fine, it will remain in your pipes to cause problems at a later date
- Flushing products: don’t believe everything you read, especially when it comes to the packaging of baby wipes and feminine products. These items get caught in your pipes and eventually can lead to blockages
- Flushing once: the desire to save water is admirable, but don’t do so at the cost of your plumbing--we’re talking about the number of flushes while using your bathroom. Again, this is a case of ‘what seems’ and ‘what is.’ Flushing the toilet once may seem like it does the job and removes whatever waste is present but with low-flow toilets, the debris often gets stuck before it reaches the sewer line. Multiple flushes can help alleviate this issue
- Wrong tools: the only toilet tool you should use is a toilet plunger--be sure of the type of plunger purchased as many of them are actually meant for sinks. If you find yourself needing more than the correct plunger, you should really consider a professional as augers and drain snakes can worsen the problem at hand
- Ignoring problems: like a low tire, a baby’s diaper, or dirty dishes, if you ignore the bathroom plumbing issue, it will get worse over time. When you begin to notice that your toilet is regularly overflowing, not filling completely, or gurgling, it is time to take action by plunging the problem or calling a professional
Damage Can be Done
Ignoring problems or continuing bad toilet habits can lead to damage in your home’s plumbing.
At best, you may notice that you have a leaking pipe but a more severe issue could be a ruptured or burst pipe.
These two problems happen because of the water pressure resulting from a clog. Should you encounter a burst or leaking pipe, it is necessary to repair it quickly as damage to your floors, walls, furniture, and other belongings can become costly.
Cost of Repairs
The sooner you realize your toilet needs a repair, the cheaper it will be. Typically, when caught early, clogs do very little damage and can be removed with ease. Unfortunately, many people are under the impression that renting certain tools will help them avoid the cost of a plumber.
This is generally not the case because the knowledge required to operate those tools is acquired with years of on-the-job training. In fact, using most tools outside of a plunger can be detrimental to your system and do more harm than good.
If you are noticing that your toilet is flushing differently than normal or you happen to witness multiple overflowing events, get in touch with a professional. Call Green Hills Plumbing at (615) 383-3339 for all of your toilet and plumbing needs!