It seems like coronavirus (COVID-19) is impacting nearly every aspect of daily life these days, and this includes home plumbing systems.
As the pandemic started to spread throughout the United States, many individuals began stockpiling essentials like toilet paper, tissues and wipes for sanitary purposes. At the same time, we’ve all been obeying stay-at-home orders. All of this has led to a perfect storm of strain on sewer systems, as well as clogged sink lines and toilets.
To minimize your risk of having a pandemic-related plumbing problem, we wanted to share some preventive practical strategies.
Don’t Flush Wipes Down the Toilet!
There really is no such thing as a flushable wipe. Whether they’re for cleaning surfaces or cleaning yourself, they simply don’t break down like toilet paper and are a primary source of the current rise in plumbing issues. In other words, the only things you want to flush are the three Ps – pee, poo and (toilet) paper.
Avoid Pouring Grease, Fat and Oil Down Drains
With restaurant doors shuttered, many of us are spending much more time in the kitchen. That’s a great thing. But, it’s important to remember that when you’re cooking, you want to place grease in a sealed container and dispose of it in the trash. Grease and oil poured down drains can adhere to the insides of pipes that carry wastewater from homes to sewer treatment facilities. Over time, this buildup can reduce the flow of wastewater and damage your sewer line.
Manage Toilet Paper Usage
If you’re one of those homeowners who has stocked up on a year’s worth of TP, it can be tempting to overuse toilet paper during your bathroom visits. Like wipes, too much toilet paper can clog toilets and damage pipes. Remember – more doesn’t always mean better when it comes to toilet paper usage. Be thoughtful in your approach to hygiene and breathe easy that you have more than a “square to spare.”
While we, at Cool Blew, are available for all your plumbing needs, we encourage you to follow these tips to help keep your system healthy and flowing.
