Every day, three of the most common plumbing calls we respond to are related to the pipes in a home’s plumbing system.
Leaks, blockages and burst pipes are all too common across homes in the Sydney, Adelaide and Melbourne areas. Plumbing issues can be messy, inconvenient and costly. That’s why we want to share some information that every homeowner needs to know about keeping their pipes in check.
What Not To Flush
The toilet is where most problems start. If you aren’t well informed, it can be tempting to treat your toilet as a rubbish bin. DO NOT DO THIS. Flushing anything other than toilet paper puts you at risk of damaging your pipes. Here’s a useful list of things that should NEVER be flushed down your toilet:
- Wet wipes – even those advertised as “flushable” can build up if used very frequently.
- Toys – Having little ones around the house can make this one tricky, if you ever find a toy in your toilet remove it, never flush!
- Food – Always dispose of those waste in a bin (non-recycling).
- Paper hand towels – Although these may seem similar to toilet paper, they don’t break down in the same way and will block your toilet.
- Hygiene products – The materials used will not break down over time and size of these items can cause them to get stuck.
- Cotton balls – These don’t separate and disintegrate, they stick to each other, build into clusters causing blockages over time.
- Hair – Hair will clog pipes as it builds up and traps other items in the line, it can wrap itself around other small clogs and instantly cause large blockages.
How To Keep Pipes In Their Best Shape
Following our list is a great start. If you want to do all the right things, you’ll need regular monitoring and maintenance. Firstly monitor your toilet daily; Does it flush correctly? Does water build up in the bowl? When flushed, are there any strange noises? All of these will help you diagnose an issue immediately so that it can be rectified. Secondly, you should remember that the toilet isn’t the only point where care needs to be taken. Click these links to read more about how to care for bathroom sinks, stormwater drains and kitchen sinks.
The next thing you need to do as a responsible homeowner is regular maintenance. All maintenance work should be carried out by a licensed plumber and should be regular. Consider annual plumbing check-ups to ensure that any plumbing issues beneath the surface are discovered and dealt with earlier rather than later. These are available FREE through our Total Care Club.
What To Do If You Have An Issue
If you’re reading this and think there might be existing issues in your pipes, call us! Don’t delay because blockages, leaks and cracks all worsen over time. If caught early repairs will cost only a fraction of what they would if the issue develops into something bigger. Call us or book online! Our licensed plumbers from Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney can offer solutions for all issues, big or small. From jetting to pipe relining, Service Today is here to help!
