Your home's plumbing system is very important, and your home won't be as comfortable if it's not functioning properly. This is why it's important to ensure that you use your plumbing properly and that you hire a professional to carry out regular maintenance. Here are some of the biggest mistakes that will cause you to call the plumber.

Misusing the Garbage Disposal

This might come as a surprise to you, but just because the garbage disposal is meant for garbage, it doesn't necessarily mean that it can handle all types of garbage. Not all garbage belongs in the garbage disposal. So if you cram every type of waste down there, the blade might stop running, and you will have a real problem at your hands. You must avoid dumping things like watermelon rinds, potato peels, and pumpkin carvings into the garbage disposal. You must also make sure that everyone who visits your home knows to use the garbage disposal properly.

DIY Plumbing Repairs or Maintenance

It might be tempting to try and handle your plumbing repairs and maintenance on your own. However, this is not a good idea. Apart from not having enough experience and tools, you probably don't have enough time as well. You might think to yourself, “Why does it matter?”. Unfortunately, most plumbing problems look a lot less complicated than they actually are. What you don't know is that most plumbing issues are just a sign of more serious issues. This is why you must leave all plumbing repairs and maintenance tasks to a professional plumber.

Even something as small as a dripping faucet can turn ugly if you don't know what you are doing. According to the EPA, a showerhead leaking at ten drops per minute can waste more than 500 gallons yearly. If you try to fix it and things go sideways, you might end up losing even more water than that.

Using Liquid Drain Cleaners

When your drain is clogged, one of the things you must never do is to use a drain cleaning liquid. These chemicals are usually highly corrosive, and they can easily damage your pipes. Apart from that, they can also destroy the good bacteria that prevent buildup in your drains. To make things worse, some plumbers charge more to deal with problems if you have used a drain cleaning liquid. This is because the liquids are hazardous, and they make the plumber's job more complicated.

Plumbing jobs are best left to the professionals. Attempting to fix things on your own without consulting a professional can cause disasters that will be more complicated to fix. If you are having plumbing problems and need help, contact us today.