All things plumbing

How to handle common plumbing issues that are caused by your everyday habits.

You go through your day to day routines not thinking much about your plumbing, which causes you to never realize that your typical day to day habits might be causing more plumbing issues then you thought.

Clogged drains are a common problem for most homeowners for multiple reasons; grease, hair, chemical cleaners and many others. When being aware of these little things it helps to avoid a later and larger problem. While it is not a problem that is noticeable right away over time it can cause blockage in the drains. Taking the time to do the research of how to dispose of grease and other chemical cleaners can save some time and frustration as a home owner.

A simple solution is to get drain strainers to catch hair and food particles that can not go down the drain. This helps you get the chance to dispose of it properly.

Running toilets are a common misconception on what is appropriate to flush down the toilet due to the advertising on the packaging. Some people use wipes and flush them down the toilet. As a plumber, we recommend not flushing those down the toilet as well as feminine products. Keeping the pipes clean and water smoothly flowing is a priority. Disposing those items into the trash helps a future visit.

Garbage Disposals are meant for soft foods, ice cubs, citrus peels, and cold water to help wash it all done. While this is a great outlet to have in order to dispose of foods, it is not meant for all foods. Vegetable peels, starchy foods like pasta and rice, and hard items such as bones are not meant to go down the drain. The garbage disposal is meant for small soft, biodegradable amounts of food. 

Keeping good maintenance practices for the garbage disposal helps keep it running smoothly and longer. Using cold water helps cleaner grinding of the small amounts of food that you put in at a time. Cleaning regularly like everything else helps sharpen blades and removes odors keeping it always ready for good use.