Many homeowners think their home’s plumbing is relatively indestructible. However, that is not really the case. But you might overlook the early ramifications of the problem you created. In fact, it could take days or weeks for the issue to blatantly appear. But by then, you have no way of knowing that what you did in the past was the cause of the problem that has you stressed and calling a plumber in the middle of the night. Below are some common plumbing issues and what you might have accidentally contributed to damage your home’s plumbing.
Kitchen Sink Clogged Drains
There are many reasons for clogged drains. But several can be avoided if you understand what should not be going down the drains in your home. For example, in the kitchen, you should never be rinsing grease and oil down the drain. Even if it is in liquid form as it goes down the drain, it soon reverts to a more solid form and coats the inside of the drain lines. As the grease dries, it turns into a sticky residue that creates a foul odor and traps other debris to create a clog.
Going hand in hand with the grease and oil that should never go into your drains is food waste. Even tiny pieces of debris will get stuck in the nasty residue from soap scum and oils to begin forming a clog. If you focus on placing used cooking oil, grease, and all food waste in a trash receptacle, you will eliminate the majority of your kitchen sink clogs that have you panicking and calling for professional plumbing help.
Septic System Issues
If your home is on a septic system rather than the city sewer system, you need to be aware of a few potential issues. First, the bacteria in the septic system are essential to the processing of solid waste. So you never want to place anything in the septic tank that will harm them. Bleach and paint are two of the most common substances that kill the good bacteria in your septic system.
In addition, the use of antibacterial soaps and cleaners can harm the bacteria you rely on in your septic system. Finally, there is a limit to the amount of water your septic system can handle each day. If you flood the septic tank with too much water, you will kill the good bacteria. Avoid doing multiple loads of laundry in a day or running the dishwasher repeatedly to avoid flooding the system.
Rogue Tree Roots
Adding trees to your property is a great way to increase its value and beauty. But it can also lead to some major plumbing headaches. This is because tree roots are very opportunistic and will grow toward any source of water or food. And one of the most common sources of both in the city is a house’s sewer line.
Planting trees near your home’s sewer line can result in crushed pipes that allow raw sewage to leak into your yard and clog the only pipe carrying waste out of your home. When considering a new tree, estimate the size of the tree’s canopy when it is full-grown. The reach of the branches is almost always a mirror image of how far the root system will extend from the tree trunk. Keep large trees well away from your sewer lines to avoid any issues.
If you discover that you have accidentally created any of these plumbing problems in your home, call (208) 571-4089. The licensed plumbers at Viking Plumbing are here 24/7 to assist you with any plumbing concerns.