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We all have bad habits that we may not be able to get rid of all that easy. Some may be habits that are insignificant and don’t cause much harm, while others may be something small that can lead to a much larger issue in the future. The same goes for habits that you have that may have negative effects in your home’s plumbing. Whether you’re aware of the following things or not, now is the time to take note of them, and to try actively change them, so you’re not putting your plumbing systems at risk. We’ve outlined for you some of the common habits that could potentially cause a lot of harm to your pipelines and general plumbing system.
- Letting hair go down the drain
Many of us don’t think twice about letting hair go down the drain. Whether it’s shaving over the sink, or letting any hair that sheds in the shower to go down the drain, most of us don’t give it a second thought. However, hair tends to stick onto any residual soapy products that may already be on the inner walls of the pipes, and can cause a build-up in the pipe. If the build-up becomes too big, it can create a large clog in the pipe. An easy fix to this is to use a drain basket in your shower, bath and bathroom sink to catch the hairs before they even have the chance to cause an issue.
It’s generally also a good idea to use a drain basket for all drains in the house, since it’s never really ideal to have large particles end up in your home’s pipelines. Even in the kitchen sink, you’re better off catching larger particles before they go down the sink, so it doesn’t cause any sort of build-up.
- Overusing drain cleaner and harsh cleaning products
Using drain cleaner is a quick and easy way to clear your drain. However, these products use strong chemicals to do the job, and although this is fine to use when done sparingly, when they’re used too frequently, it can definitely cause damage to your pipes, especially to older pipes. Most times, this means the harsh chemicals in the drain cleaners can potentially weaken the pipes, making them more susceptible to cracks. Your best option is to be more wary of using potent chemicals down the drain, and look for products that use enzymes and bacteria to organically get rid of the blocked drain. In addition, try to use other methods first, such as using a plunger, before opting for a drain cleaner product.
- Using your toilet as another rubbish bin
This one is quite self-explanatory – to keep things simple, don’t treat your toilet like another rubbish bin. You shouldn’t flush any foreign objects down the toilet, and this includes wipes, feminine hygiene products, and anything else that’s not toilet paper. Even wipes that have the word ‘flushable’ on their packaging can cause trouble, so you’re much better off tossing these in the actual garbage bin.
- For more information on how you should take care of your plumbing to keep it in its best condition, out team members at Sydney Blocked Drains and Pipe Relining are always happy to help. Contact us at 1300 403 201 or via our website.
