Want to Keep Your Pipes Working Properly? Avoid These Plumbing Mistakes

Plumbing issues can be stressful, expensive, and damaging to your property. But when it comes to plumbing, when you know what not to do, a lot of those issues are completely avoidable.

So what, exactly, shouldn’t you do when it comes to managing your plumbing system?

A recent article from realtor.com outlined common plumbing mistakes homeowners will want to avoid, including:

• Flushing anything other than toilet paper or waste. Flushing anything other than toilet paper (for example, feminine hygiene products, cotton balls, baby wipes, or paper towels) are almost sure to clog your pipes—which can lead to a host of issues, including flooding and serious damage to your home’s plumbing system.
• Overusing drain cleaner. Over time, the chemicals in drain cleaner can corrode your pipes (or break pipes that are already corroded), leading to expensive plumbing issues. Instead, consider using a drain snake—which will unclog your drain without any potentially harmful chemicals.
• Leaving pipes exposed during the winter. Leaving your pipes exposed during the winter could lead to freezing and bursting—so make sure to drain your irrigation system and insulate any risky pipes before the temperatures drop too severely.