Tips for Understanding Your Home's Plumbing

Imagine a world without functioning sink drains—where water stubbornly refuses to flow, leaving dishes unwashed and daily tasks in disarray. It's a scenario we'd all rather avoid, yet many of us unknowingly contribute to drain woes by sending the wrong things down the pipes. In this guide, we'll shed light on the top 10 offenders that should never find their way into your sink drains. By steering clear of these common mistakes, you can safeguard your sinks, prevent frustrating clogs, and maintain a smoothly running household. Let's explore the simple steps to protect your sink and keep everything flowing seamlessly. 1. Cooking Oil and Grease I know it's tempting to pour that leftover cooking oil or grease down the sink, but don't do it! As they cool, they can solidify and create nasty blockages in your pipes. Instead, let them cool in a container and toss them in the trash. 2. Coffee Grounds Those coffee grounds might seem harmless, but they can clump together and form a gooey mess in your pipes. It's better to toss them in the trash or use them for composting. 3. Eggshells Eggshells might look harmless, but they can stick to the sides of pipes and contribute to clogs. Dispose of them in the garbage or add them to your compost pile. 4. Pasta, Rice, and Bread These starchy foods can swell and create serious clogs in your drains. Throw them in the trash instead of washing them down the sink. 5. Chemicals Harsh chemicals like bleach and cleaners can damage your pipes and harm the environment. Always dispose of them properly according to local regulations.

Tree roots can cause problems for drains, especially if the drains already have cracks or weak spots. Healthy drains can usually handle roots, but if there are any weaknesses, the roots can make them worse. This can lead to things like blockages, less water flowing, and even leaks or ground problems over time. Tree roots mostly grow near the surface, especially in trees like willow, plane, poplar, and maple. When planting trees, it's important to choose ones with less aggressive roots and keep them away from buildings and drains. It can be hard to know if roots are causing drain problems because water might still drain slowly even if there's damage. Just cutting down a tree won't fix the drain. If you think roots are causing issues, it's best to have a professional check. They can figure out what's going on and fix the drain properly.