Bad Choices That Lead To A Plumber

When plumbing problems occur, it can create havoc around the house that only a plumber can fix. Sure, we all own plungers but those suction cups on a stick will only go so far in repairing our pipes, drains and plumbing fixtures. Many clogs and problems are direct results of bad choices made by the homeowners or inhabitants. By making better choices and teaching everyone in your home to take proper care of fixtures and drains, life could be easier for you, the person paying for emergency plumbing. Here are some bad choices that you don’t want anyone in your house to make:

- Peeling vegetables into the garbage disposal: While a garbage disposal is great for grinding up large chunks of food, it’s not so effective on slivers of veggie skins. Common vegetable culprits are carrots, potatoes, cucumbers and zucchinis. Their skins’ consistency and dimensions are perfect when peeled off with a knife or veggie peeler to clog the works. Garbage disposals’ mechanisms aren’t designed for these peelings to be wedged into them.

- Flushing the wrong items down the toilet: Toilets are meant for flushing human waste material and small bits of tissue. They are not mean for swallowing diapers, many types of feminine hygiene products, wads of hair or masses of toilet paper. Train all the individuals in the house about the items and amounts that can be flushed down that tiny hole. Kids are often so intrigued by the idea of “object permanence” that they try flushing all kinds of odd things including clothing, toys and entire rolls of toilet paper. Even if they are really attempting to use T.P. for its intended purpose, they may choose to rip off a mile of it rather than a few squares. Fill them in on the number of squares to use per bathroom visit.

- Burying the gray water pipe under tons of dirt: An eco-friendly way to save water is by having shower and laundry water diverted to the garden. This water is known as “gray water” and can be a smart way to keep the plants green in the yard. In order for it to be effective, the corrugated pipe must be close enough to the surface to dry out between baths and laundry loads. It also should have plants growing in the region to drink up the liquid. If not, the tub and shower won’t drain properly and the plumber will be making a trip to your house.

- Pouring bacon grease into the kitchen sink: Ever pour hot bacon grease into a container and watch it solidify into a white chunk of fat? That’s what happens in your pipes if you pour hot grease down the drain. It will solidify down there and will be a nightmare to clean out. Don’t do it!

When clogs and breakdowns happen with a household’s drains, pipes and plumbing fixtures, it’s no fun for the inhabitants or the head of the house who has to haul out his or her wallet to pay the plumber. Common sense and good choices will keep things flowing.