If you're like a lot of DIY homeowners, you've used YouTube and other websites to try and deal with common plumbing problems like clogged drains. Unfortunately, while there are some run by qualified plumbers, many of these fellow DIYers are giving some not-so-great advice.
No one sets out to intentionally harm their plumbing, but you could be doing some damage by accident. Here are just a few of the ways you might be accidently harming your home's plumbing.
You're Unclogging Drains with Boiling Water or Drain Cleaner
Many people choose drain cleaner as their first choice to remove kitchen and sink clogs. And in the spirit of more must be best, they use a far greater amount than recommended on the bottle or container. That's a big mistake because first, it's not the best way to clear a clogged drain, and second it can create more problems than it solves, like:
- The corrosive product filling up the trap arm which your plumber will have to remove to fix the issue.
- Damaging metal traps and pipes which results in leaks.
- Ruining the rubber gasket used in mission style couplings which, again, leads to leaks.
Boiling water causes another set of problems: If the drain has plastic pipes, it could loosen the seals and cause a leak. Pour it into a ceramic sink and you might crack it!
You're Using Your Toilet Bowl Cleaner on Other Fixtures
Toilet bowl cleaners are enormously powerful products and can easily destroy the finish on bathroom and kitchen fixtures as well as tub and shower surfaces. And since you're using it on a larger, out-in-the-open scale, the fumes can become overwhelming. It's best to buy or make the right cleaners for the other jobs and save the toilet bowl cleaner for its intended use.
You're Using a Toilet Tank Cleaner
It's true those drop-in toilet tank cleaners help keep your toilets clean, but the chemicals they contain can cause damage to tank parts like the seals, flapper, gaskets, and washers. A better way to keep your toilets clean 24/7 is to brush daily and spend 5 minutes a week doing a quick cleaning job with an all-purpose or toilet bowl cleaner. Be sure to use an old toothbrush to scrub the lid hinges, too.
You're Using a Suction Bathmat
Those heavy-duty suction cups do a great job holding the mat in place, but they can also, over time, damage the bath or shower's finish. There are now bathmats designed to work just as well without the suction cups, or you could get your bathtub refinished with a non-slip surface.
It's OK to Ask for Help!
Using the wrong tool for a plumbing job can cause frustration at best and serious damage at worst. It's okay to try and fix simple plumbing jobs on your own but if you find yourself in over your head, give David Gray Plumbing a call. Our plumbers have the knowledge, skills, licenses, tools, and experience needed to handle your DIY jobs gone wrong. We've been serving the plumbing needs of the Jacksonville, FL area for over 25 years and would love to serve you, too!
To learn more about all the services we offer or to schedule regular plumbing maintenance, give us a call at (904) 605-8190 or contact us online today.