Plumbers on what they would absolutely not do in their home bathrooms – so take note

Believe it or not, bathroom pipes can run smoothly and without strange noises, and these plumbers revealed the most common mistakes

Plumbers share the most common mistakes residents make and what they would never dare do themselves(Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Unfortunately, the need to unclog toilets and bathtubs may be a typical rite of passage for many of us who live at home or in apartments. However, there is another way to exist.

Believe it or not, bathroom pipes can work smoothly without strange noises and smells. Plumbers share the most common mistakes residents make and what they would never dare do themselves.

First, they wouldn’t throw flushable wipes down the toilet, even if a product is marketed as flushable. AJ Jenkins, a plumber from Oklahoma City, said, “Flushable cloths are a big no-no.”

READ MORE: Plumber reveals cleaning product he would never put in the toilet

Believe it or not, bathroom pipes can work smoothly without strange noises and smells(PA)

Philadelphia-based plumber Kelly Ireland warned against using dishcloths because then you’d have to pay $10,000 to have your front yard ripped up. That’s your other option if you’re dealing with old plumbing systems.”

She said: “But what it does to your plumbing system, especially if you have older pipes, is that if you have cast iron, for example, the cloths won’t dissolve. I’ve had instances where I spent money.” [an] If you spend two days cleaning drains, you get to the point where you think, “Now we just have to dig out the whole pipe.” And then you’re dealing with a dig in your front yard or basement. And of course that is very expensive.”

Ireland added that if you use flushable wipes, they should be disposed of in the trash can and not the toilet. It’s also worth not flushing tampons and menstrual products down the toilet to prevent future drain blockages.

“Have you ever put a tampon in the water?” It literally just expands,” Ireland said. Third, pouring Drano and other strong chemical drain cleaners into the bathtub to combat hair clogs could cause more damage than intended.

Ireland explained: “What Drano will do – if you don’t know your plumbing system and you have old pipes – is it will actually eat through the old pipes. So sure, it will clear the clog, but it will also start to rain in your living room. She explained that an additional problem is that the cleaner can move the buildup in your pipes to a wider area that is harder to reach.

As an example, she said, “If it goes into a hard bend, then you have a major clog.” Likewise, Jenkins advised against using the popular DIY combination of vinegar and baking soda on clogged drains.

Jenkins said: “You should also never use baking soda and vinegar to clean a bathroom sink, as it can erode the rubber seal that holds the sink drain together.” Ireland added: “The best way to get rid of clogs To escape, if possible, is diving. It’s the safest.”

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Hardware stores offer various fittings for connecting a sink drain(Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Next, Jenkins said, “One item I would never install in a bathroom is an adjustable P-trap. P-traps are often promoted as a practical plumbing solution for DIYers, but they can cause more problems than they solve.”

They said: “The grooves on these traps tend to collect debris and catch hair, causing frequent blockages, and they are difficult to clean without having to dismantle the entire drain. Using the right materials from the start will save you time in the long run and save you the hassle of having to clean your drain frequently.

Hardware stores offer several different fittings for connecting a sink drain. Jenkins recommends using a standard slip nut trap instead of an adjustable P-trap for your sink. Before working on a pipe or fixture that you suspect is leaking, turn off the water supply to stop the flow of water. Otherwise, there is a risk of water flowing into your bedroom.

Carly Carey is a Minneapolis-based apprentice plumber working for Erik Nelson Plumbers. She said: “I would never work on a fixture that didn’t have reliable, working shut-off valves. If you are working on a faucet or there is a problem with a faucet such as it leaking, breaking, or no longer closing -off will not hold.

If a faucet does not have its own shut-off valve, you should identify this in your home before performing any plumbing work. Typically it’s near a water heater, your basement, or your home’s outdoor foundation.

Finally, you should not use bleach tablets to clean the toilet. Ireland stated: “ Those blue tablets and bleach tablets that people have in their aquarium are terrible for the toilet. They break the tank parts and have to be constantly replaced.”

The longer a cleaning tablet stays in your toilet, the more likely it is to dissolve the plastic and rubber seals, washers and pipes surrounding it. Instead, try using distilled white vinegar to remove stains.