Although you may not think about the plumbing in your home on a regular basis, there are some small steps homeowners can take to help it continue functioning well. Small but regular maintenance measures can make a significant difference and minimize visits from the local plumber, while subtle bad habits can be destructive in the long run. Here's a list of the do's and don'ts of home plumbing. 

Do:

Periodically pour hot water down your shower drain. 

Over the course of months and years, shower drains get filled with hair, grease, soap buildup, and more. While this detritus may not impact drainage in small numbers, it builds up over time. To prevent clogs, individuals should pour a few gallons of boiling water down their shower drain two times a year to break up this buildup. Baity Plumbing does NOT suggest pouring any chemicals such as Draino down any pipes as this will deteriorate the pipes, breaking pipes down and cause leaks.

Drop ice into your garbage disposal.

A great way to sharpen the blades inside your garbage disposal is by grinding down ice cubes. Don't be afraid to drop full or partially melted cubes down your kitchen sink drain and hit the switch on the disposal. 

Don't: 

Pour coffee grounds down the kitchen sink.

Most people throw coffee grounds in the garbage, but for anyone considering dropping them in the sink and hitting the garbage disposal, think again. Grounds have a very hard time draining, and could quickly cause clogs. 

Pour hot water into your toilet. 

Regardless of what some websites may tell you about the advantages of pouring hot water down your toilet, the reality is that the risks outweigh the benefits. Toilets are not built to withstand hot water, and enough of it can actually damage the porcelain and lead to cracking, splintering, and potentially, an emergency visit from your plumber. 

 

For over 40 years, residents of greater Thomasville, NC, looking for a top-notch plumber have sought out the team at Baity Plumbing Co. The full-service plumbing contractor handles everything from water heater repair to sewer line cleaning, and the team also specializes in commercial plumbing projects. Visit the plumbing pros' website to learn more about their services, or call the plumbers directly at (336) 475-0921.