SCHEDULE ONLINEMistakes to Avoid So You Don’t Have to Call the Plumber
Sometimes plumbing problems just happen. Thanks to the age of the house or the fixtures or other circumstances beyond your control, sometimes things just break down. However, sometimes plumbing problems happen because homeowners make avoidable mistakes. Here’s the scoop on common mistakes that you can avoid making so that you don’t have to call the plumber.
Mistake #1 – Cramming the Garbage Disposal
Yes, the garbage disposal is there to grind up food waste. No, you can’t just cram everything down it. Certain items, particularly fibrous or stringy foods, like celery, corn husks, and pineapple, should never be put in the garbage disposal. Don’t go overboard with the garbage disposal. Avoid putting large items, like watermelon rinds or the guts from your pumpkin carving session, into the garbage disposal, and you’ll avoid some problems.
Mistake #2 – Leaving the Knockout Plug in the Garbage Disposal
Installing a new garbage disposal isn’t a terribly difficult task, but there is one small step that is often forgotten. If the garbage disposal will be connected to a dishwasher, then you must remove the knockout plug. If you don’t remove that plug, it will block the dishwasher hose, and water will leak everywhere.
Mistake #3 – Overloading Your Fixtures
Like many homeowners, you probably have a shower caddy hanging on the faucet in your shower. How many bottles and products do you have stacked in that caddy? The bottom line here is that your showerhead is not intended to support much weight. If you hang a shower caddy on it and fill it up with heavy bottles of shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and more, it might not be able to handle the weight. The showerhead could break right off. Save yourself the mess, and store your bath products elsewhere.
Mistake #4 – Improperly Joining Materials
If you take on a DIY plumbing project, make sure that you have the proper materials. If you are going to connect different types of metals, you have to have the proper coupling. Otherwise, the joint will corrode. You need to use a dielectric union, which separates the metals so that they don’t touch and corrode.
Mistake #5 – Flushing Objects Down the Toilet
This is most likely to be a problem if you have small children in the house. Kids have been known to flush their toys and pretty much anything else they can get their hands on. Adults sometimes accidentally knock an object into the toilet while it is flushing. You can avoid this by not storing items on the back of the toilet seat and not placing shelving right above the toilet.
Mistake #6 – Pouring Building Materials Down the Drain
Many homeowners, after finishing a DIY project, are tempted to pour the leftover materials down the drain. Don’t do it. Really, don’t do it. These items are not intended to be poured down the kitchen sink, and chasing it with hot water or a chemical drain opener will not help.
Mistake #7 – Twisting a Leaky Faucet Handle
When a faucet is leaky, many people feel tempted to twist it harder to get it to stop leaking. It won’t work, but it will break your faucet. Resist the temptation. Step away from the faucet, and call a plumber.
Do you have a plumbing problem that needs attention? Call Scott English Plumbing. Our professional plumbers will come to your home, assess the problem, and get it fixed for you quickly. We are available 24/7 to respond to emergencies, so don’t hesitate to call Scott English Plumbing today.
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