The experienced plumbers at Salt Lake City’s Salt City Plumbing are more than happy to give customers advice while on the job. A lot of the advice they give is pretty common throughout the industry. But unless you have had reason to call a plumber, it is quite possible you have never heard the most commonly offered plumber’s tips.
Below is a selection of some of those tips. They are all common-sense tips that any homeowner can employ. Best of all, they can end up saving you a ton of money in plumbing repairs that don’t have to be made. There is nothing wrong with that, right?
Avoid Putting Grease and Fat Down the Drain
Cooking creates grease and fat. There is no way around it. However, Salt City Plumbing says it is a bad idea to wash grease and fat down the drain. It should be drained off into a receptacle and thrown in the trash. Why? Because grease and fat have a tendency to clog the plumbing.
Have you ever looked under the kitchen sink and noticed that the drainpipe is shaped like an ‘S’? That is on purpose. The shape prevents gases from traveling through the drain and back up into your kitchen. However, the shape also acts as a natural trap for certain substances, especially grease and fat. That’s why you don’t want to wash grease and fat down the drain.
Wash Greasy Dishes in Cold Water
Even when you drain grease and fat into a receptacle destined for the trash, some residue is left behind. Plumbers say your best bet is to wash those greasy dishes in cold water rather than hot. Why? Because hot water liquefies grease and makes it more prone to clogging the pipes. Cold water will cause the grease to coagulate. The grease will flow more freely through your pipes and out to the sewer system.
Be Careful with the Garbage Disposal
The next tip is to be careful about what you put through the garbage disposal. A garbage disposal is a nifty little tool capable of chopping up all sorts of food waste into tiny little pieces that can be flushed into the sewer system. However, not all food waste qualifies.
Plumbers recommend not putting starchy or fibrous foods through the garbage disposal because they can get stuck. This includes things like celery, banana peels, and potato skins. You should never, ever peel potatoes over the sink and then attempt to get rid of the peels using the garbage disposal. Otherwise, you may wind up calling a local plumber to come fix the unit.
Clean with Baking Soda and Vinegar
Occasionally mixing up a batch of baking soda and vinegar, then pouring it down the drain, is a good way to keep your drains clean. In addition to looking good, they are also less likely to stink. Best of all, the baking soda and vinegar solution is easy to use. No scientific knowledge or college degree required.
Use a Plunger on Clogs
So many homeowners turned to liquid or crystal drain cleaning products when they have a clog. Those products have their place, but plumbers say you should try a plunger first. A couple of quick, forceful plunges often does the trick. And by the way, you don’t have to use the toilet plunger on your kitchen sink. You can buy smaller sink plungers at just about any hardware store.
How many of these common plumber’s tips have you heard before? At any rate, you now know them all. Try putting them to use in your own home.