A functional plumbing system is critical to ensure a smooth flow of clean water into and wastewater out of homes and businesses. Therefore, you will likely experience significant disruptions if the system fails unexpectedly.
Minding your habits is a significant part of protecting your plumbing system from untimely failure. This blog explains some things or practices that can harm your plumbing system and how to avoid the issues.
Poor Tree Planting
Trees are a great addition to your yard. They offer much-needed shade during the hot season, ensure good outdoor air quality, and boost your property’s curb appeal. However, if you are not careful of your tree-planting habits, trees can quickly wreak havoc on your plumbing system.
Tree roots can invade the underground pipes in search of water and nutrients. Once the roots enter the lines, they cause a massive blockage, thus restricting proper wastewater flow. Consequently, you may experience slow drains and water backup in your sinks and toilets.
Additionally, the roots may cause the pipes to burst or crack. Prevent such issues by keeping a safe distance between your trees and the plumbing system. Also, be careful with the type of trees you choose for your yard, considering that some trees have more invasive roots than others.
Poor Garbage Disposal Usage
The garbage disposal is a convenient space to dispose of food waste, but this device is not designed to handle all types of waste. Therefore, if you abuse the garbage disposal by introducing inappropriate items, the blades may get clogged and damage the drain lines.
For example, bones and eggshells may break the blades. In the same way, vegetables and fibrous food wastes may form a mesh that prevents the blades from functioning correctly.
These problems compromise the garbage disposal’s functionality, so all the waste will find its way to the drainpipes. And eventually, the debris could cause a blockage that interferes with the rest of the plumbing system.
Incorrect Grease Disposal
Unfortunately, some individuals assume that oil can safely pass through the drain since it is in liquid form, but that assumption is not correct. Grease solidifies when cold, accumulates on the inner walls of pipes, and gradually forms a blockage.
The best way to dispose of oil is to put it in a container and wait to solidify, then dispose of it in the trash can.
Poor Toilet Usage
The toilet also has its good share of misuse that can harm the plumbing system. Flushing any items besides human waste and standard toilet paper in the toilet can damage the plumbing system’s functionality.
Items such as plastic, glass, and cat waste are not meant to be flushed and can lead to blockages in both pipes and the septic tank. Instead, put the items in the bin and recycle what is recyclable.
Inadequate System Maintenance
The plumbing system is among the most neglected parts of the house. Many people assume that since out-of-sight means out-of-mind, they can get away with never servicing it until an emergency happens.
Lack of plumbing system maintenance creates room for even minor issues to escalate into major plumbing problems. Therefore, invest in regular system inspection to help you spot any plumbing problems in their early stage and fix them promptly.
Now that you understand the habits or activities that can damage your plumbing, you are better positioned to protect it. Most importantly, consult a reliable plumber who can advise and help you keep your plumbing system healthy.
Apollo Heating, Air & Plumbing is your trusted partner for quality plumbing services. We will inspect, diagnose, and repair all plumbing issues to keep your property safe and comfortable. Contact us to schedule a service.