21 ways of damaging your home, according to your plumber
You do not slide seriously that you are?
Plumbing is like yourhouses Nervous system: largely invisible, but also what it keeps things to work properly. So you can see how wrong movement can condemn your home to a series of expensive maintenance misfortunes - or empire, a total overhaul of the system. (And you do not need us to tell you how much tabthis I will take you.) In the interest of going ahead of the game, here are all the ways you risk inadvertently inflamed these pipes that keep your home in working order, according to men and women who live and breathe them: plumbers.
1 Rinse trash can in the toilet
Here is the cardinal rule of the Recycle Bin: Throw it in the trash. "It may be tempting to use the toilet like a trash can, but you shouldnever rinse anything except toilet paper and human waste, "saysMark Dawson, director of exploitation atAuthority markswho ownsBenjamin Franklin Plumbing. "Sending bins or other bathroom products in the drain can obstruct your pipes in a hurry and potentially cause the toilet to overflow in a nasty and dangerous mess."
2 Or take "Roufable" to facial value
While a product canClaim To be flushes - and it's worthy of wipes to buffers - the only thing you should rinse the toilet is toilet paper. "The toilets are more water-saving now than before 20 years ago, so there is not enough volume in the hunt for forcing debris"Marcin WroblewskiPresident of Expressroter Plumbing in Toronto, saidReader's Digest. "An object will be housed in the trap and will cause a blockage when waste accumulates days later."
3 Pour grease into the sink
We correctly know the elimination of fat after alarge meal is a pain. But simply pour it, the drain can hurt long-term tips. "Grease and fat can escape you enough to force you to call a plumber," says Dawson. "The plumbing works better when it is well neat for - not abused fat."
4 Do not rinse the dishes before loading them into the dishwasher
Yes, it's called adishwasherBut throwing dishes, pots and stoves covered in large food particles can make serious damage to the device, resulting in long-term problems on the line. "Owners may need their dishwashers to be repaired more often if they do not rinte their dishes before loading, or at least remove pieces of more important food," saysAudrey Monell, Owner ofForrest Anderson plumbing and AC In Glendale, Arizona. "The food that remains stuck on the dishes causes the divest dishwork more difficult, which can wear pieces faster, resulting in problems."
5 Or wash things that are not the dishwasher
Your dishwasher is not intended to manage everything and anything. Loading the device with elements It is not supposed to wash can cause major problems. AsConsumer reports Notes, you should never stick with cast iron cookware, sharp knives or wooden utensils in the dishwasher. In addition, if you are the type to cook salmon in the dishwasher (yes, it's one thing!), Reconsider. Most dishwasher manufacturers do not test their devices for cooking capabilities.
6 Relying on temporary patches instead of calling a plumber
You may think you are pretty capable around the house, but these "temporary" corrections are used to paste much longer than what you originally planned. "An owner can be capable of" Kludger "together a solution for a pipe that leaks or a broken valve, but generally, the damage caused over time by leaving such temporary solutions in place will result in more important problems", note the experts atPlumbing D & F, which serves parts of the Oregon and the state of Washington. "Plumbing systems are more complex than they belong. Smart owners trust a professional to repair things in the right way."
7 Using home products with hard chemicals
You could imagine that these powerful metal pipes can handle everything you start, or down. But the pipes are often more sensitive than you might expect. "Chemicals in home products such as the drain cleaner can also cause problems", according to plumbing experts D & F. "What might seem a quick and easy way to repair a hoof can actually eat pipes and make serious damage. "
8 Do not replace your water heater
You are supposed to replace your water heater every 10 years and you have failed to do it can seriously damage your home. According to the plumbing D & F, when the water heater breaks down, "they can cause backups, leaks and other ravages in your home".
9 Define your water heater temperature too low
You should never leave your water heater temperature falls below 120 degrees Fahrenheit. If you do, you open your home to dangerous bacteria. "At this temperature, harmful pathogens - like the genre that cause legionnaire disease - are not prevented from multiplying and can be killed," says Dawson. "As the temperature becomes higher, pathogens die more quickly. For this reason, other agencies like theAdministration of workplace safety and health (OSHA) Recommend a water heater temperature of 140 degrees Fahrenheit. "
10 Place too much weight on plumbing devices
While your shower caddy is convenient, you may want to think twice to try to squeeze you in this bottle of additional shampoo. "Too many heavy bottles and shower accessories can damage the shower head or other plumbing pieces that you can hang things", writesImproovenet's Jaclyn Crawford. "An easy solution is to find a self-supporting shower cadder or shower shelves."
11 Not knowing how to turn off your water
When there is an emergency and you have to turn off your water, you need to know where to do in order to avoid significant damage. "Plumbing utilities usually have individual valves that cut water supply to the specified location," says Crawford. "In case of emergency or to inform the plumber, it is advisable to locate your main water too."
12 Or do not know where are pipes
As Crawford points out, not knowing where your pipes can cause serious problems, no matter if you make a major renovation or simply install a towel rack. "A simple hole in the wall can become a pip that flees if you are not aware of what you are considering drilling or cutting," she says. "Always place towel racks and hooks in the stud studs. A studud student is an excellent investment ... and can help you avoid a plumbing catastrophe. If you plan to do a major work or around your plumbing, call a professional to help. "
13 Ignore minor leaks
Ignore a minor leak can lead to major problems. "One of the biggest mistakes people earn ignores a minor leak," says Monelll. "Whether it's a leaky toilet, cracked pipe or drop-down tap, small leaks can turn big problems by damaging soils and ceilings, dry bulkheads in catching and promoting the growth of dangerous molds - without talk about the costs of damage to repair.. "
14 Ignore the current toilet
It might seem like a small annoyance but aThe current toilets can lose more than200 gallons water per day. Like the experts toRoto-Roterle Explain"" A common toilet can be the symptom of a variety of plumbing problems, and it can be difficult to discern if these problems will require professional help. "As a general rule, it's one of the easiest plumbing problems to repair with a quick jig of the handle or stake in the tank, but it is also one of the most often neglected. So do not fall Not in this trap!
15 Ignore the mold or mold
A little mildew is not unusual in a bathroom, but when it starts to get up outside the shower, you'd better solve it. "Mold or mold on non-shower walls, or in the corners of the bathroom, is a clear sign that the water flees somewhere and find its way to these areas", writesJ.T. Gonzales of the domestic services platformAngi. "A leak pipe offers a lot of moisture, so that the more you need to detect and repair the leak, the easier and faster mold will increase."
16 Do not do something about this task
A small spot on the ceiling or the wall can quickly turn into a big stain if it is not addressed. And a big spot can mean major problems.
"An occasional wet floor in a second floor bathroom will not cause enough oozing to damage anything below. [But] any brown, copper or dark dye on the ceiling is a sign of a leak of Pernicious water on the ceiling "writes Gonzales. "A collapsed ceiling is a sign that the water of a leak reaches the area."
17 Ignore the signs of failure of the pump
Do you know the panels indicating that your pump could fail? Otherwise, you could prepare for a flooded basement. Checking connections and cleaning the pump and vents are ways to avoid that.
18 Ignore leakage ducts and combustion pipes
The common wisdom suggests that if your boilers and your ovens work, they are fine. But there are subtle signs that you can spot this could mean major problems. AsPatrick Knight, training, a license and an inspection support manager toWin the inspection of the house, RecountReader's DigestThe signs of damage include a flame of yellow or twin pilot or rusty or rusty combustion pipes. And you can not notice these things if you do not check them at least once a year to be safe.
19 Leaving pipes exhibited in winter
Just as you do not let your skin exposed during the colder months of the year, you better cover all the pipes exposed when the temperature falls. "When temperatures fall below the freezing, the pipes in your home must be protected by your heating system," says Dawson. "But any plumbing that crosses unheated parts of your home - or is exposed to the outside - is likely to freeze and possibly illuminate. Make sure you drain your irrigation system and isolate all the pipes that could be at risk before handling a frigid flood. "
20 Do not have your septic tank inspected
If your home has a septic tank rather than a city sewer, you are supposed to have it cheer once a year by a professional. "The problems in the tank can start small, but can become quick big questions if they are left without address. Sewer backups can be extremely damaged for your home, while the major repairs of your septic system can be expensive" , explains the plumbers toMr. Rooter in Portland, Oregon. "In addition, regardless of the quality of your business in your septic system, it must be pumped at regular intervals to eliminate solid waste."
21 Mix your materials
There are many options when it comes to pipe equipment, so you must definitely search for some some in your home.
"If you want to change change, like shaking the obsolete PVC plastic for more modern Pex, make sure you understand what are the consequences," says Dawson. "Some types of plastic can not handle hot water and there are other materials that you do not have to match copper connectors on galvanized metal pipes may cause corrosion, for example, causing blockages on the road." And for more surprising home care tips, see the23 remodeling projects at home that will certainly not end well.
To discover more incredible secrets about the life of your best life,Click hereTo follow you on Instagram!