You know when you’re handwashing your dishes, you need to be careful that no food gets down the strain (or even grease)? Well, when it comes to cleaning, this isn’t the only thing you need to think about, which involves your plumbing. While sure, we all want to keep our homes sparkling clean, sometimes our best intentions can backfire, especially when it comes to plumbing.
Actually, some common cleaning mistakes can actually cause significant damage to your pipes,
leading to costly repairs and headaches. Needless to say, it’s a major headache, and it’s fairly pricey too! So, with that said, let’s explore how these mistakes happen and how to avoid them to keep your plumbing in tip-top shape.
Avoid Chemical Drain Cleaners
When faced with a clogged drain, it’s tempting to reach for a bottle of chemical drain cleaner, right? Just think about it, you grew up seeing commercials for these online, right? On top of that, it’s just waved in your face that this is the best solution you can do! But here’s the thing, these products like Drano promise a quick and easy fix, but they can cause more harm than good.
But how can these actually hurt your plumbing? Well, for starters, these powerful chemicals are designed to dissolve clogs, but they can also eat away at your pipes, especially if they’re older or made of certain materials like PVC.
It’s scary to think that not only can these chemicals eat into what’s clogging the pipe (like hair, grease, or food), but yes, these can lead to weakened pipes, leaks, and even bursts. Basically, all this means is that you’ll have to look into pipe repair and replacement, so is that something that you actually want to do? Instead of reaching for the chemical solution, try natural alternatives like a mixture of baking soda and vinegar.
Yes, even plumbers will rave about this! But of course, for stubborn clogs, a plumber’s snake or a professional plumber’s assistance is a safer bet.
Misusing Your Garbage Disposal
Garbage disposals are a kitchen convenience, but they aren’t invincible- which is what seems to surprise people the most. Actually, many people make the mistake of putting the wrong items down their garbage disposal, which can lead to clogs and damage. For example, you can’t put grease down the drain, and the same goes for coffee grounds!
Even potato peelings shouldn’t go down. It’s a mistake that keeps being made! To keep your garbage disposal running smoothly, scrape food scraps into the trash or compost bin. It’s safer and cheaper anyway.
Overusing Toilet Bowl Tablets
So, another major surprise would be this one. While yes, by all means, this is a convenient way to keep your toilet clean, they can cause more harm than good. These tablets often contain harsh chemicals that can deteriorate the rubber and plastic parts inside your toilet tank, leading to leaks and other issues. If you prefer a hands-free cleaning solution, opt for natural alternatives or use tablets sparingly. The same goes for your dishwasher, too, those strong tablets can do damage there.
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