Most people think very little about their household plumbing until there’s a problem. Wouldn’t it be good if there weren’t problems? Fortunately, many issues regarding plumbing in Birmingham homes are avoidable with little knowledge.
Be Careful About What Gets Flushed
A common mistake people make is thinking anything can be flushed. However, that’s not true. The only item that should get flushed is toilet paper because it’s made to break down in water quickly. Other items like “flushable” wipes don’t disintegrate as fast and are more likely to clog the toilet.
Ditch the Garbage Disposal
Yes, this is a controversial suggestion because who doesn’t enjoy the convenience of garbage disposals. But it’s the convenience that makes these household appliances so bad for the plumbing system.
Why?
The answer is simple: People think a garbage disposal can handle anything put in it, and that’s simply not true.
Items like eggshells, cooking fats, pasta, grease, and bones shouldn’t be put in the disposal. Additionally, most people overstuff their disposal, which can cause backups in the attached pipes.
If the idea of getting rid of the disposal is too much to bear, consider installing a batch unit that makes it harder to overstuff the appliance.
Limit the Use of Liquid Drain Cleaners
When a drain gets clogged, first try plunging or snaking it. If this doesn’t work, the next best thing is to call for drain cleaning services. Using a liquid drain cleaner can corrode pipes and cause more plumbing problems.
For more questions about plumbing in Birmingham, contact Wilbur’s Air Conditioning, Heating & Plumbing today.
