If you find yourself calling a Melbourne plumber more than three or four times a year – there is either something wrong with your current plumbing or you are doing something wrong with your systems. When water lines, drains, and sewage systems are properly installed and still relatively new, they hardly give any issues. Unfortunately, people often do some things that cause damage without ever realising it.
The good news is that there are some simple changes that you can make in your routine or systems that can avoid these costly problems. Here is a quick look at some habits that might be damaging your plumbing and some of the best solutions for these common mistakes.
- Flushing Wetwipes that are “Flushable”
The only thing you should be flushing down your toilet – especially if you have a septic tank – is toilet paper and human waste. Those commercial items that are often labelled as “flushable” just don’t break down as fast as toilet paper. Before they finally do break down, they can get entangled with other debris and cause terrible clogs.
The solution: Avoid flushing anything other than toilet paper. Keep a waste bin next to the loo where you can safely dispose of extras like cotton balls, wipes, or feminine hygiene products.
- Greasing Your Drains
We all are faced with that awkward situation where a blob of grease is floating in the pan. You know things won’t go well if you toss it into the bin. Tossing it out into the yard also isn’t the most hygienic solution. So you do what everyone knows they shouldn’t do – you toss it down the drain. The sticky blob catches onto food particles and clings to the sides of the pipes. This eventually causes bad odors and clogs.
The solution: Keep a jar or can on the counter where you can pour grease or oils. When it cools, you can easily dispose of it in the bin. Your pipes stay clean, and your kitchen won’t start to stink.
- Using Too Much Chemical Drain Cleaners
The strong acids of these chemicals are specially designed to disintegrate oils and other contaminants. Unfortunately, they also affect the very pipes they are meant to clean. This can eventually weaken your plumbing.
The Solution: Try a plunger or natural drain cleaner. If this doesn’t help, call your plumber to remove the clog or improve the drainage system.
- Ignoring Small Leaks
Most homeowners will continue ignoring a harmless little drip in the sink. For drips in drain pipes, they might even come up with clever solutions like placing a bucket underneath. Unfortunately, this method can end up wasting a lot of water. The constant and slow movement of water through the tap will also cause more buildup inside your taps, making them all clogged up. You will even notice terrible dark marks appear where that water is constantly dripping and pooling.
The Solution: Ask your plumber to come and fix the leaks for you and perform a water pressure test. The process is quick, and replacing old pipes or getting your water pressure regulated can also help you avoid costly water damage.
- Heavy Items on Showerheads or Behind Taps
Don’t hang a caddy or organiser directly over the showerhead or faucet handles. The old “bread board behind the faucet” trick is also a horrible idea. This extra weight will strain the connections and can cause fittings to loosen or crack.
The Solution: Get wall-mounted organisers installed.
- You Skip Plumbing Checks and Maintenance
Failing to maintain your systems, especially hot water systems, is a bad idea. Loose components, corrosion, or leaks can all result in unexpected bursts and a lot of water damage.
The Solution: Get a plumber to come and do a plumbing check every year. Ask your plumber to properly service your water heater and other plumbing systems to ensure that everything will work well all year round.
Get Healthier Pipelines With Expert Plumbers in Melbourne
If you are not making these plumbing mistakes and you are still constantly facing clogged drains, leaks, and other issues, then it is best to get an intermediate evaluation done on your water lines and drains.
At Murphy’s Plumbing, our team can do a full assessment and perform fault-finding on all of your drains, gas lines, water lines, and drains. We can also do all the needed repairs or recommend some more efficient solutions so you will never have to face these obstacles again.
Contact Murphy’s Plumbing now for enhanced plumbing solutions.
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