Why Your Bathroom Routine Could Cause Plumbing Issues
Every day, hundreds of gallons of water flow through the bathrooms of our house. From toilets flushing to baths and showers running, and all the handwashing in the sink, most families use 400 gallons of water every day – with nearly 60% of this coming from the bathroom alone. But did you know that your daily bathroom routines could be the source of huge plumbing issues?
The pipes that connect your home’s bathroom to the water supply and the sewer system can get clogged and backed up easily if you aren’t careful. We all know the major mistakes to avoid, like not flushing large amounts of toilet paper down the toilet.
However, there are some things that many people do every single day that cause huge plumbing problems. You likely don’t realize how easily you can damage the pipes in your bathroom with common items.
So, are you guilty of making any of these common bathroom mistakes that could destroy your plumbing?
Let’s find out.
1. Take a Look at Your Shower and Bath Products
Every time that you shower or bathe, the products you use flow down the drain. Some of these products contain ingredients like oils and soap which will reharden or collect – causing major plumbing issues.
Additionally, products such as scrubs that contain sugar, salt, or even essential oils can cause drainage issues. Any other items like glitter or cocoa butter that will not naturally dissolve in water can clog up the pipes, too.
Instead, only use water-soluble shampoo and conditioner. Standard bars of soap can create higher levels of scum that build-up, so consider switching to body wash instead. Also try to cut down on how much you use, since this can help to prevent soap scum from forming as quickly.
2. Cleaning Products can Ruin Pipes, Too
Keeping a clean bathroom is super important, and it can help to reduce the amount of hair, products, and other clogging things from going down into the pipes. But harsh chemicals that are used for the toilet and sink actually bay be the cause of plumbing issues. The strong chemical ingredients can erode the pipes if they are overused.
Two of the most damaging bathroom cleaning products are actually drain cleaners and drop-in toilet bowl cleaners. Both of these have such strong chemicals that corrode metal pipes, leading to major issues like leaks.
While drain cleaners are great for quickly breaking down a small clog, using them too much is quite dangerous. Instead, use more natural cleaning products. One effective and safe solution is to pour nearly boiling hot water slowly down the pipe. You can also pour in half a cup of baking soda followed by a cup of vinegar. The natural reaction between these ingredients can sometimes unclog a pipe.
If this doesn’t work, it is always best to call a professional plumber to get to the root of the problem.
3. Be Careful About What You Flush
Even though products like cleaning or baby wipes, paper towels, or feminine care products say that they are flushable, it is best to throw them away instead. Even certain types of toilet paper cause plumbing issues – as thicker paper takes longer to break down.
If your toilet seems to get clogged quite frequently, your best bet is to switch out your TP for a thinner style – or install a bidet. Also, make sure everyone in the house sticks to the rules when it comes to flushing!
4. Cover Up the Drains
You may not realize all of the small items that slip down the drain unnoticed. Things like bobby pins, razor blades, and especially clumps of hair can cause big issues if they get stuck in the pipes. Most bathroom and sink drain openings are large enough for items like hair clips, jewelry, or other potentially clogging things to easily slip into.
The easiest solution is to simply purchase drain covers. There are tons of different styles available to cover any size drain and match your preferred style, too. Just make sure that you are consistently cleaning them out so your bathtub and sink drain normally.
Of course, drain covers won’t catch everything – especially tiny items like clogging particles in the water. Hard water that is full of minerals can calcify. This not only creates a very unsightly substance around your sink and tub, but it can clog the pipes, too.
A plumbing service can install water softeners for your shower head and sinks. This can make a significant difference in the quality of your water and reduce many common plumbing issues for your pipelines and appliances!
Have Plumbing Problems? Call Shamrock!
Plumbing problems are a hassle that no one wants to deal with. Thankfully, there are some quick and easy changes that everyone can make to stop them from happening. Simply using gentler body and cleaning products, covering up the drains, and watching what gets flushed can help you avoid huge plumbing issues!
If you are having any sorts of troubles with your bathroom plumbing, it is best to have a professional come and take a look. Shamrock Plumbing services the Salt Lake City, Utah area and provides both emergency and scheduled services.
Got a big plumbing repair issue? Reach out to us to receive a free quote for our services and schedule an appointment today!
