Plumbing Mistakes You Will Never Make Again

Plumbing emergencies happen in any home; pipe connectors erode or break down over time, or something happens to the pipes outside your home that are out of your control and which need emergency repair. However, there are many things that homeowners can do to avoid those emergency visits from a plumber. Note a few of those here.

1. Don't Treat the Toilet like a Waste Bin

The toilet is attached to the city sewer lines by small pipes, and trying to flush things that don't belong in the toilet can mean clogging those small pipes. Things like disposable diapers and sanitary napkins don't belong in the toilet and are sure to cause clogs that will require emergency repair. Even things that don't break down easily like paper towels and cigarette butts can easily clog the toilet pipes. Don't treat the toilet like a waste bin and you'll see fewer clogs and backups in the bathroom.

2. Don't Try Plumbing Repairs That Are Outside Your Area of Expertise

One common reason for plumbing emergencies in a home is that a homeowner tries to make plumbing repairs that are outside his or her area of expertise, and they wind up doing more damage than good. As an example, if you've never used a sewer snake you may find that you get it stuck on pipe connectors or choose one that's too large for pipes, and you cause damage. If you try to replace pipes and connectors on your own and don't choose the right materials, you may see corrosion around those connectors and eventual leaks. While some minor repairs may be done by a homeowner with a few good tools, if you're not sure of how to handle a repair properly, don't attempt to do it on your own.

3. Protect Your Drains

Clogged pipes are usually something that can be avoided, if you protect your drains. Put a drain guard over the bathtub drain and be sure you use the strainer in your kitchen sink. Never try to allow items to go down the drain that may cause clogs, including hair in the bathtub. Always run cold water and the garbage disposal when you have food in the kitchen sink rather than assuming it will just go down the pipes. If you take some time to keep things out of the drains then they'll clog less often and in turn, you may avoid needing to call an emergency plumber.