Avoid clogs in the bathroom!

It’s common knowledge that some things are better to go down drains and to be disposed of in the toilet than others.  However, common knowledge and absentmindedly tossing things in the sink or toilet are completely different and can lead to some major plumbing issues if you’re not careful.

When it comes to your shower, it’s fairly simple to keep things beside water (here’s looking at you, excessive amounts of hair) out of the drain as long as you install a drain cover to catch it.  Drain covers are very cheap and can save you hundreds on snaking blocked pipes.  You can also purchase them for your sink’s drain, too.  Oh, and another thing.  Resist using large amounts of body wash, shampoo/conditioner, hand soap, and toothpaste because too much of it (especially when it’s not fully lathered) can cause a buildup in your drains, making it harder for water to flow through.

Only flush items meant for the toilet down the toilet.  Unless it’s human waste or toilet paper (used sparingly, too much at once can cause major clogs), it shouldn’t go in the toilet.  This means that Kleenex, dental floss, feminine hygiene products, and baby wipes should be thrown in the garbage because none of these products are made to be flushed.  Some products will say on the packaging that they’re flushable, but the real truth is that they can’t break down fast enough.  The above list is only a small fraction of what shouldn’t be flushed, but it’s a good place to start (common sense is the name of the game).  Always supervise children when in the bathroom so they can’t flush whatever they can get their hands on–whether it’s a whole roll’s worth of toilet paper or their favorite toy that wanted to go for a swim.

Remember that we’re here to help if you find yourself with a backup of some sort in your bathroom.  We understand that plumbing emergencies don’t always happen during business hours, which is why we offer emergency after-hours service if you’re in need of it.  Call us anytime at 618-BELOMAN or for after-hours emergencies we can be reached at (618) 398-9484.