Habits That Can Ruin Your Drains
Perhaps you routinely dump leftovers into the garbage disposal. Maybe a member of your household flushes wipes or feminine hygiene products down the toilet. These and many more activities could ruin your home’s drains. Keep in mind these other habits could also cause damage to your home’s plumbing.
Using Your Toilet as a Trash Can
Using your toilet as at trash can is a sure pathway to ruining your drain pipe. Even flushing a diaper or feminine hygiene product just one time could cause a blocked drain. Other things that should never get flushed include condoms, cotton balls, plastic packaging, medication, kitty litter and paper towels. Only bodily waste and toilet paper should go down the toilet.
Stuffing the Garbage Disposal
Pouring grease or oil down the garbage disposal or kitchen sink will quickly ruin the appliance or drain. These solidify and capture little food particles, eventually obstructing the drain. Eggshells, coffee grounds, produce stickers, bones and gristle should never be put into the garbage disposal. Also, avoid cleaning paint brushes or pouring household fluids down the drain. They could cause a chemical reaction that erodes the drain pipe.
Letting Hair Go Down the Drain
If anyone in your household has long hair, letting their hair go down the sink or shower drain will lead to a clog. The hair gets stuck in shed skin cells and soap scum, creating a sticky, thick clog. As the drain gets filled, the amount of space that water can pass through becomes more narrow. This puts a lot of pressure on the pipe, and the pipe could burst. Use a wire mesh or silicone insert in the bathtub, shower or sink drain in order to catch the hair.
Our plumbers identify the cause of drain problems in your San Diego home. We offer water filtration systems, water heaters, water softeners, sewer line repairs and installations. We do toilet repairs, too. You can also count on us for repairs, installation and maintenance of faucets, fixtures and circulation pumps. Call Marklein Plumbing in Ramona, CA, for help with any plumbing issues.
