If you want to avoid needing to pay for costly repairs and otherwise dealing with plumbing emergencies, it’s important to take steps to keep your drains and pipes in good condition. Here are five things you might be doing in the shower that are harmful to your plumbing.
Taking long, hot showers There are numerous reasons you should avoid lingering in a hot shower. Doing so wastes water, dries out your skin and increases your energy bills. What’s more, all the steam that’s created during a long, hot shower leaves your bathroom warm and humid. These are ideal conditions for the growth of mould and mildew.
Hanging things from the showerhead It might be a convenient place to hang a rack for all your shower products but putting too much weight on a showerhead can cause serious issues. Over time, the fixture can pull away from the wall, causing leaks as well as damage to the showerhead and pipes. Plus, loofahs left hanging in the shower become a breeding ground for bacteria.
Using body and hair oils For the same reason you should never pour cooking oil down the kitchen sink drain, you should avoid regularly using oils on your skin and hair in the shower. Since oil tends to solidify when it cools down, allowing these products to get rinsed down the shower drain increases the risk of clogs developing in your bathroom pipes.
Rinsing hair down in the drain As hair accumulates in the pipes, your shower will start to drain slower than usual. This can cause soap scum to linger on the floor of your shower, creating slippery conditions. Eventually, a buildup of hair can completely block the drain. Be sure to use a drain guard in your shower and regularly clean it to keep water flowing easily through your pipes.
Washing with antibacterial soap This is a habit to avoid throughout your home if you have a septic system. This is because the properties in these products can destroy the bacteria that resides in your septic tank and allows your system to properly function. Without it, solid waste won’t fully break down, which can lead to backups and foul odours.
Reliable Plumbers in Southwestern Ontario
Even if you adopt good shower habits, you might still encounter issues with your home’s plumbing. Fortunately, the experienced team at Pitton Plumbing & Heating Inc. offers an array of residential plumbing services for customers in Burlington, Hamilton and many of the surrounding communities. For more information or to book a service call, contact us today.