If your plumbing could talk, it would be crying out for help! Unfortunately for your system, it can’t tell you exactly what it needs. That’s why we have compiled this list of six things your plumbing wants to say to you but can’t.
IF OUR PLUMBING COULD TALK, IT WOULD SAY:
“Chemical drain cleaners are bad for my health.”
While chemical drain cleaners can be an easy fix to a clog, they can potentially cause a lot of damage to your pipes. The oxidizing chemicals found in most drain cleaners will corrode old pipes over time.
If you’re dealing with a tough clog, try using a natural drain cleaner, or a homemade solution. Pour some hot (not boiling) water down the drain with the clog followed by baking soda and vinegar. The next step is to sit back and let the solution work its magic for 20-30 minutes. After waiting about a half-hour, add more hot water to clear the clog. While these solutions aren’t as immediately effective as caustic chemicals, they will be a lot easier on your pipes.
“Please stop pouring grease down the drain.”
Grease can do significant damage to your plumbing system. Pouring bacon grease, frying oil, or other fatty substances down your drain will ultimately require a professional to unclog your drain pipes. Any grease that is sent down your drain will eventually cool, which will cause it to solidify. This now hardened fat and oil will cause a severe clog that can lead to your home’s plumbing backing up.
Instead of destroying your pipes, let the grease cool down on the side, allowing you to scrape off the solidified substance into the garbage where it belongs. If whatever oil, fat, and grease you have poured into your sink is causing clogs, then it is best to have a plumber come to clean your drains for you.
“The tree roots in your backyard are invading my space.”
In search of water, tree roots may invade your sewer line, which can be both a dangerous and expensive problem. Roots will wreak havoc on your plumbing by obstructing the flow of water in and out of your underground plumbing system. When combined with grime and grease, your system will slow down, experience frequent clogs, and it could even cause a sewer backup.
To bypass this inconvenient and expensive problem, you should keep trees and shrubbery away from your sewer line and only look to plant slow-growing trees that don’t grow bigger than 20 feet tall. Another preventative measure you can take is to have professionals run maintenance annually on your underground plumbing system.
“I’m not your trash can.”
Garbage disposals are one of the most mistreated tools in plumbing. Many homeowners think that they can just throw whatever food they want into their disposal, and it will be fine; however, this is far from the truth. Coffee grounds, fibrous foods, bones, eggshells, and water-absorbing grains (ex. pasta, rice, bread) can all damage your garbage disposal.
Save your drain by tossing your food scraps in the garbage, and when you need to use the disposal, utilize lots of water to rinse the food down the drain.
“It’s freezing in here.”
Frozen pipes can be a significant issue for your plumbing system. When water freezes, it expands; this can lead to your pipes bursting and potentially thousands of dollars in water damage.
To avoid the devastation we faced earlier this year with that nasty cold snap, try adding insulation to your pipes or open the tap enough to create a steady drip. Either of these options can save you potentially thousands this winter. If your pipes do burst, it’s best to have professionals handle the situation immediately to prevent a bad problem from turning into something worse.
“I think it’s time for my yearly checkup.”
Just like any person needs a yearly checkup to make sure they’re healthy, your plumbing needs annual maintenance to make sure it keeps working well. Having an expert technician perform yearly maintenance can help get you ahead of potential repairs, keep your plumbing system in good working order, and extend your plumbing system’s life by keeping the system running optimally.
Don’t let your plumbing suffer in silence! Call (281) 815-2772 to have the experienced technicians at Pioneer Plumbing and Septic handle all your plumbing needs.