Clogged drains are common enough that they may seem relatively harmless, but without plumbing repairs, they can cause backups that lead to extensive water damage throughout your house. Almost every drain will need some professional attention eventually, but your daily activities may have a significant impact on how often they clog and how difficult they are to clear. Below are a few common mistakes that can damage your drains.

3 Common Mistakes That Can Lead to Plumbing Repairs

1. Using Caustic Drain Cleaners

Liquid drain cleaners may seem like a convenient, inexpensive solution, but they can actually place a heavy burden on your pipes. Older plumbing systems are especially susceptible to damage from these caustic chemicals, especially if they’re unable to remove the clog and sit in the pipes for an extended period. If your home has a septic tank, liquid drain cleaners can kill helpful bacteria and damage your entire water disposal system, so it’s best to use environmentally safe products or call a plumbing repair professional.

2. Not Checking for Pipes

Determining where the plumbing runs in your home is not always easy, but accidentally damaging pipes can be. Without mapping out the plumbing in your home, you may mistakenly drill into plumbing pipes when hanging shelves or photos, causing serious leaks that can ruin insulation, drywall, and electrical wiring.

3. Pouring Cooking Grease Down the Drain

Cooking grease may be liquid when it’s warm, but it quickly solidifies inside your pipes. Over time, coffee grounds, food particles, and other pieces of debris cling to the grease, eventually creating a clog that can be extremely difficult to dislodge. The safest approach is to save your cooking grease in a separate container and throw it away in the garbage.

As the Cincinnati area’s leading wholesale supplier of parts and plumbing repair supplies, Withamsville Winnelson offers a comprehensive inventory of high-quality products from some of the industry’s top brands. Whether you’re a plumbing repair professional or a handy homeowner, Withamsville Winnelson is the only source you need. Visit their website for an overview of their products, or call (513) 753-1121 with any questions.