205-655-2396 You probably rely on your pipes and drains every single day to bring water into your home and take waste away from it. This job is vital to the function of your home, but so many people harm their plumbing by not treating it the right way.
The fact is no one’s plumbing is indestructible and if you don’t implement good habits, you’ll end up spending money on repairs when you didn’t need to. We’ll give you the information you need, so you can avoid bad drain habits!
“Flushable” Wipes
We don’t necessarily fault you for making this mistake. It’s hard to know what product claims are misleading and which ones can be trusted. In this case, advertising laws allow products to claim that they are “flushable” without considering the impact on your plumbing.
It turns out a lot of things are technically flushable. One French influencer discovered that Orbeez are flushable and ended up ruining the plumbing of his entire town! Flushable does not equal safety for your plumbing.
Why are flushable wipes so bad for your drains? The key reason is that they don’t dissolve in water. Toilet paper does, which is why it’s pretty much the only thing you should put in your toilet besides waste.
Ever since the coronavirus outbreak, municipal sewage treatment centers have seen an uptick in incidents concerning flushable wipes. If these wipes don’t clog your drain, it will cause problems for the hard-working sewage treatment plans
Grease
If you’re not crisping up some bacon during isolation, you’re doing it wrong. However, if you are cooking bacon and pouring the grease down the drain when you’re done, you are also doing it wrong!
There are a few reasons why this can cause clogs in your drains. First is that bacon fat is solid at room temperature. As it cools in your drain it will solidify. Additionally, fats don’t dissolve in water. This is why it’s so difficult to get rid of grease clogs without advanced tools.
You’ll just have to set aside the fat for later cooking use, or toss it in the garbage. The more you know!
Don’t Ruin the Garbage Disposal Motor
The garbage disposal is an extremely useful tool in our kitchen plumbing. However, there are certain foods that just don’t work with it. The motors on these appliances are powerful, but can be worn out by some of these items.
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Eggshells
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Banana Peels
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Celery
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Onions
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Radishes
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Brussel Sprouts
These and other fibrous foods can get caught in your garbage disposal blades and cause the motor to get worn out.
Don’t Clog Your Drains with the Wrong Foods
Some foods expand in water which is dangerous for your pipes. While they can get by the blades that doesn’t mean these foods are great for your drains
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Pasta
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Rice
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Other Complex Carbs
Throw these items in the trash to avoid clogs!
Toxic Commercial Drain Cleaners
You will inevitably get a clog even if you follow these tips perfectly. Water quality can leave behind mineral deposits causing clogs to form seemingly out of nowhere.
The solution to this problem is to plunge it or call a plumber if necessary. Refrain from using commercial drain cleaners! These products use a harsh chemical reaction that can damage your pipes. Add to that the potential poison risk, especially for your children, and it’s just not worth it.
In order to ensure the long-term health of your plumbing call your local plumber when you get that occasional clog that you can’t clear with a basic plunger.
If you need plumbing help, call Wilbur’s AC, Heating & Plumbing at 205-655-2396. You can also fill out an online contact form if that’s easier for you! We are taking every precaution to ensure we can service your plumbing safely during this time.
