5 Habits That Increase Your Risk of Sewer and Drain Problems
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.
