Whether you’re facing blocked drains or an overflowing toilet, plumbing issues are both common and seriously frustrating. If you’re not careful, they can also end up being incredibly costly and time-consuming. The good news, however, is that many plumbing problems can be easily avoided if you take care to look after your pipes. We’ve listed the most common plumbing mistakes homeowners make to ensure that you encounter as few problems as possible.

Your pipes are not compatible

Many homeowners are more than happy to replace a pipe if it means they can avoid calling in the plumber. However, it is all too easy to purchase a new pipe which is the wrong size, shape, or material. If you are tempted to fit your own pipes, make sure that they fit together tightly and that there is no room for leaks. You must also check that you do not fit a copper pipe to one made of galvanized metal. These metals react to each other and could very quickly lead to corrosion and leaks.

You’re misusing your garbage disposal unit

Be very careful when sending food down your garbage disposal unit. Stuffing too much food will put a strain on the blades and could cause damage, whilst some types of waste are unsuitable for the garbage disposal and should be sent straight to the trash. This includes, for example, large bones, fruit pits, potato peels, rice, and corn husks. If your disposal unit is starting to suffer from greasy build-up, you should try placing a few ice cubes down the chute and running it. This will help to scour the unit with minimal effort on your part.

You flush inappropriate objects down the toilet

Only bodily waste and toilet paper should ever be flushed down the toilet. Other seemingly harmless objects such as facial wipes, paper towels, cotton swabs, feminine hygiene products, and cat litter should absolutely not be sent down the toilet as they could end up causing a major blockage. Whilst these objects may be labeled “flushable”, many of them do not disintegrate quickly enough and can cause you significant inconvenience.

Your hot water heater is too old

Most hot water heaters last between 8 and 12 years before they start to malfunction. To ensure that you are never left without hot water, it is important to look out for tell-tale signs that your heater is on its way out.

Strange noises are one of the most common signs that your hot water heater is starting to fail. Spotting a pool of water at the bottom of the heater could also be a serious sign as it demonstrates that there is a leak in the tank. If the water smells metallic, this is a very clear sign that the system is starting to break down. Finally, of course, the most obvious sign that your heater needs replacing is if you have no hot water. Fortunately, if you come across any of the issues, a plumber will be able to help you replace the heater swiftly and advise you about what sort of model will suit your property.

If you need help combating any of these mishaps then contact the pros at D&N Plumbing and Gas!