Common Mistakes that Ruin Drains

Your drains are tough, but they need a little tender loving care if you want them to maintain peak performance in your home. Unfortunately, there are a lot of mistakes we make on a regular basis that are literally ruining our drains without us even knowing. So for those of you who only want to call your plumbing services in Highland Park for your annual inspection, here are some of the mistakes you can correct to take better care of your drains. Watch out of these common mistakes that ruin drains.

Avoid Pouring Oils and Fats Down the Drain

Things like bacon grease and used cooking oil may seem perfectly safe for your drains. When they’re warm, they’re essentially a liquid, so it can be difficult to understand why these foodstuffs can create such a problem for your drains.

The issue is that melted cooking oils, grease, and fat coat the interior lining of your drains. As they cool, the layer of coating becomes solid. Over time, each batch of cooking oil, grease, or fat adds a new layer to that coating. It may not seem like much, but you will eventually get to the point where these layers are actually obstructing your pipes, making it easier for other items to become stuck and creating a clog.

Never Use Chemical Drain Cleaners

Chemical drain cleaners seem like an easy fix. You don’t have to call out a service, you can do it on your own time, and they generally work pretty well. Unfortunately, there are two issues that are not immediately apparent unless you’re well-versed in plumbing.

First, chemical drain cleaners don’t actually get rid of a clog. They break it down to a certain extent, but more often than not, this simply pushes the clog further down the pipe. That’s why you’re more likely to need a chemical drain cleaner every few months. Second, the chemicals used to break down the clog are extremely corrosive, and your pipes are not immune to their effects. Over multiple uses, you could actually cause serious, lasting damage to your plumbing.

Avoid Pouring Carbs Down Your Drain

It may seem like a weird category, but bread, flour, rice, and pasta all have one thing in common. When they become wet, they essentially turn into glue. That can be a serious problem for your drains, which need all materials to flow through smoothly to work correctly. It is much better for your drains and your pocketbook to throw out or compost these food items whenever possible.

Composting Can Save Your Drains

If you like plants, you can save your drains a lot of damage by composting some of the worst offenders. Common household items like eggshells and coffee grounds make for phenomenal compost but spell serious trouble for drains and septic tanks. The good news is that small, at-home compost systems are now widely available, so you can be the plant parent you’ve always wanted to be while caring for your drains.

Know the Limits of Your Garbage Disposal

There’s a lot of advice about using things like citrus rinds to freshen up your sink and chicken bones to sharpen your garbage disposal blades. What you need to keep in mind is that this advice is usually geared to garbage disposals that are at least one horsepower. Always check that your garbage disposal and septic tank can actually process what you’re putting down your pipes before risking a blockage.

By knowing what your plumbing and associated equipment can handle, you’ll avoid many of the most common plumbing mistakes that lead to problems. However, when trouble does strike, you can always call your local rooter services in Highland Park.