Cleaning your drains is a major part of properly keeping up your home. When you don't clean them correctly, you run the risk of damaging your drainage system, allowing corrosion to weaken and damage your drain pipes, and causing yourself physical harm. How can you avoid these consequences? You can start by avoiding the four most common mistakes people make when cleaning their drains.
Mistake #1: Don't Use Chemical Products
Using your favorite brand of chemical cleaner to unclog a drain is a simple mistake that can cost you a lot in the long run. Not only is it chemically unsafe, but it's also dangerous for your drain pipes.
If used improperly, chemical cleaners can cause burns that require exacting first aid treatment. Improper inhalation is also a danger.
The same chemical cleaners that are risky to your health are also hard on your pipes. Strong chemical cleaners can damage and corrode your plumbing, leading to the need for total pipe replacement. And that's not cheap.
Mistake #2: Don't Try to Fix It with Water Pressure
People commonly use the pressure of a water hose or something similar to unclog and clean their drains. Do not try to spray your drains clean by using the pressure of a hose. This will only result in a huge mess of water and could potentially cause massive flooding to the area. The pressure of water is not enough to dislodge debris from the pipes, and the resulting mess could cause greater future problems, like the growth of mold and mildew.
Mistake #3: Don't Stick Things Down the Drain
The third common mistake people make when cleaning drains is sticking something down them to dislodge whatever is clogging it. Coat hangers, long sticks, and random long, skinny objects are the go-to tools. But they're not tools at all.
Sticking any of these items down the drain could damage the pipes. If they get stuck or break off, you will have created an even bigger problem.
Mistake #4: Don't Ignore the Pros
Cleaning your drains is a do-it-yourself task, but don't ignore the pros. If you're unsure of how to properly clean them, consult with a professional plumber. A little chat today could contain advice that saves your drains in the future!
It's easy to ignore your drains until one becomes clogged. Diligently maintain them while avoiding these four common drain cleaning mistakes, and you'll be on your way to a clog-free zone. Click here to learn more about drain cleaning.
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