A home’s plumbing is one of its simplest systems. Water comes into the house under pressure through fresh water pipes and leaves via gravity through drains and the sewer line. However, when things go wrong with the plumbing the entire house is affected. Plumbing problems that are ignored can even make the home uninhabitable. Fortunately, there are plumbing hacks that are as simple and effective as the system itself. Here are five of them.
1. Avoid Harsh Chemicals to Clean Out Drains
Though harsh chemicals seem to make short work of tough clogs, they should be avoided. Frequent use of chemicals such as sulfuric acid damages your pipes, sometimes to the point where they develop leaks. Another bad thing about these chemicals is while they may dissolve clogs at the top of the drain, they may not dissolve the clogs caught, for example, in the U-bend.
Chemical drain cleaners are also not good for the environment and can leach into the groundwater, which makes drinking water unhealthy. They can also be dangerous to use. They sometimes produce fumes that can damage the respiratory system and irritate the skin or the eyes. If a homeowner has really stubborn clogs, they should try to loosen them with a snake or a plunger. They can also call a professional plumber for service.
2. Fix Those Leaks
Too many homeowners ignore leaks that they consider small and unimportant, but this is a mistake. Even small leaks waste water and can run up water and energy bills. Some leaks can even damage the walls or floors. Sometimes it’s hard to tell if a toilet is leaking. One way to tell is to put some food dye in the tank. If the water in the bowl takes on the color of the dye, there’s a leak that needs to be seen right away.
3. Check the Pipes
It’s also necessary to check the plumbing pipes on a regular basis. This includes the freshwater lines and the drains. Leaks and damage such as corrosion or rust are easy to fix if they’re caught early.
4. Be Careful With Toilet Paper
Most people understand that only toilet paper should be flushed down the toilet along with bodily wastes, but too much toilet paper is a problem. Excess toilet paper can clog the toilet drain even though it’s usually one of the larger drains in the house. A person should only use as much toilet paper as they need at any one time.
5. Don’t Let Hair Wash Down the Drain
People may be surprised by the amount of hair they lose in the shower as they wash their hair. Hair is one of the most common materials that lead to clogged drains, and it’s a good idea to cover the drain while taking a shower or washing hair. Make sure to get the hair that’s stuck beneath the cover. Don’t flush it down the drain, but toss it in the trash. Some people find that an old stocking stretched over the drain is excellent for catching hair.