Some of the plumbers in the Sarasota area are great at providing helpful tips. Check out these easy-to-follow hints that can help keep plumbing in order. By avoiding these three things, drains will be in much better condition, hopefully keeping Sarasota, FL, homeowners from suffering from clogged pipes and untimely messes.
Sink: Drain-unclogging Chemicals and Hangers
Ask almost any Sarasota plumber what they think about store-bought chemical cleaning products for unclogging drains. The answer is that these products can sometimes work on minor clogs or for a mild buildup of grime in the pipes. However, they should not be used on a regular basis or for big clogs that aren’t clearing after 1-2 uses of drain cleaner. This is because those harsh chemicals can, over time, damage the pipes by eating away the inner walls.
Similarly, don’t bend an old wire clothes hanger and shove it down into a drain pipe, either! Hangers can scratch the inner walls of pipes, or worse: if the hanger breaks while down in the pipe, the homeowner now has a broken-off piece of metal to add to the original clog. But, if this should happen at any time of the day or night, Sarasota offers 24/7 emergency plumbers with services to solve the problem.
Toilet: Say “No” to Flushable Wipes
There’s no doubt, moist flushable wipes are a real convenience and are better at “cleaning” than toilet paper alone. Especially for families with toddlers and young children who are learning to potty-train, a wet wipe is a very handy item. However, it is not the best thing for a home’s plumbing.
While wipes claim to be “flushable” and “safe” for sewage and septic systems, the truth is that they don’t disintegrate after being flushed. So, there’s a good chance they’ll get stuck in the drainpipe, or build up over time and even clog the sewer line or whole septic system. Any plumber in Sarasota or elsewhere will tell their customers not to flush baby wipes or flushable wipes. If these wipes must be used, dispose of them in a trash bag! (And it should go without saying, but diapers, tissues and paper towels should also never be flushed down a toilet.)
Garbage Disposal: Stay Away from Grease, Bones and Non-Food Items
While it is called a “garbage” disposal, it really should be called a “food disposal” as only food waste should ever be put down the disposal. It seems like common sense not to put anything but food in a disposal, but many a person has tried grinding up rubber bands, pieces of plastic, cigarette butts or hot matches.
Even some food waste should really be off-limits as well. Animal bones should never be put in a disposal, and solid or liquid fats are also a bad idea. The oil or grease will get past the disposal blades without issue, but then it will solidify in the pipes, causing clogs and back-ups. Instead, wipe modest amounts of excess grease from pans with paper towels and throw them in the trash, or pour hot grease into a can, let it cool down, and then dispose of it.
Sarasota Plumbers are Only a Call Away
If a homeowner makes one of these mistakes and experiences a plumbing problem, they should call a reliable plumbing company in Sarasota. A plumber can help properly clear any clogs caused by putting something down a pipe that doesn’t belong. Some plumbers in Sarasota are available around the clock, so people can get plumbing issues fixed quickly before they get out of hand.
