Nobody
wants to stand in a pool of water when they shower or experience a
toilet backing up onto the floor, but sometimes plumbing problems are
inevitable — some problems may be caused by a blockage in the
public sewer line or aging pipes. More often, however, drain and
sewer line problems are brought on by bad daily habits that compound
over time.
If
any of these five habits seem all too familiar, it's time to make a
change and save your drain lines.
1.
Flushing Wet Wipes
While
wet wipes may help you feel cleaner than toilet paper does, just
because the labels say flushable doesn’t mean they are. In fact, no
matter what the package says, you should never flush wipes down your
toilet.
Most
of these wipes do not break down as quickly as your system requires.
If they get caught in your drainpipes, they will cause a serious
blockage — unlike toilet paper, which will break down and loosen
within hours.
If
you use these wipes, then put them in the trash can. If that sounds
gross but you still crave a cleaner alternative to toilet paper, then
consider installing a bidet.
2.
Putting Grease or Oil Down the Drain
Most
people know not to pour cooking grease or oil down the kitchen drain.
However, they might forget about the coconut oil they use on their
face or skin. Coconut oil is an increasingly common beauty product,
but it is just as dangerous for your drain lines as bacon fat or
cooking grease.
If
you use coconut oil on your face, then wipe it off with a tissue or
cotton ball before washing your face. If you rinse your mouth with
coconut oil, spit it out into the trash can rather than into the
sink.
3.
Letting Hair Go Down the Drain
The
average person loses at least 50 strands of hair per day. A good
number of this hair comes out in the shower. If you allow your hair
to just flow down the drain, eventually you are going to get a hair
clog. The clog may not form in the drainpipe directly beneath your
shower drain either — it could form in a larger sewer pipe, causing
blockages and backups throughout your home.
Put
a mesh drain cover from the hardware store over your drain, and empty
out the hair after every shower.
4.
Rinsing Coffee Grounds Down the Drain
You
may find it easier to rinse coffee grounds down the drain than to
dump them into the trash, especially if you use a no-filter coffee
brewing method. However, coffee grounds are very sticky and may
adhere to any soap scum present inside your drainpipes. Over time,
the grounds can accumulate and cause a clog.
If
you have a hard time emptying your coffee maker into the trash, then
try saving your coffee grounds in a small canister and using them as
fertilizer for plants. Old coffee grounds are high in nitrogen, which
flowers and garden veggies need.
5.
Parking Over Your Sewer Line
If
you're short on driveway space, then you may park one of your
vehicles in the front yard. However, if your parking spot happens to
be on top of your main sewer line, then the weight of your vehicle
may slowly compress the sewer line, leading to blockages. Replacing a
sewer line is a major endeavor. Check your home's blueprints to
locate the sewer line, and make sure you are not parking over it.
Have
these or other bad habits caused drain problems in your home? Contact
our team at Roto-Rooter
Sewer & Drain Service
to
schedule an appointment. We'll investigate to find the cause of the
clog and work to get your drains flowing again.
