Plumbers wish homeowners would stop flushing wipes, pouring grease down the sink, reaching for harsh chemical drain cleaners, and ignoring small leaks or a running toilet. Learn where your main shutoff is, replace old rubber washer hoses, flush the water heater yearly, and follow the maker's tightening instructions on supply lines.
Which drain habits cause the most clogs?
Three habits account for a lot of clogged drains and backed-up lines. All three are easy to drop.
Several of these habits come from plumbing myths, and our page on the most common plumbing myths sorts out which ones are wrong and who says so.
### Stop flushing wipes, even "flushable" ones
Toilet paper is made to be flushed. Wipes aren't. The EPA has asked Americans to "only flush toilet paper, not disinfecting wipes or other non-flushable items," and warns that flushing anything other than toilet paper "can damage internal plumbing, local sewer systems and septic systems."
Do this instead: keep a small trash can with a lid next to every toilet. Paper towels, cotton swabs, dental floss and wipes all go there. For the longer story, see are flushable wipes safe to flush.
### Stop pouring grease and cooking oil down the sink
Hot grease looks like a liquid, so it seems harmless. Phoenix Water Services says the biggest problem in its sewer lines is "coagulated grease and cooking oil." People pour it down the drain thinking it will flow through, but the city explains it "will cool as it enters the sewer line and it will coagulate, causing a blockage."
Do this instead: follow the city's advice. Let the grease cool in the pan, then scrape it into the trash. It also helps to wipe greasy pans with a paper towel before you wash them.
### Stop reaching for harsh chemical drain cleaners first
A slow drain tempts you to pour something in and walk away. Poison Control notes that many drain cleaners "contain highly concentrated corrosive chemicals" and must be used with great caution. It also warns they can splash back and burn skin, especially "if too much product is poured into a completely blocked drain." That's often the very drain people are trying to clear.
Do this instead: try a plunger or a hand snake first, and pull the drain stopper to clear hair from bathroom sinks and tubs. Our page on whether Drano is bad for pipes and our list of safer alternatives to chemical drain cleaners cover the options.
One more thing from our side: if you've already poured chemicals in, tell your plumber before they open the drain.
Which leak habits turn small problems into big ones?
Water damage rarely starts big. These habits let a small leak run longer than it should.
### Stop living with a running toilet or a drip
Small leaks add up. The EPA's Fix a Leak Week page says an average household's leaks "can account for more than 9,300 gallons of water wasted every year." Worn toilet flappers and dripping faucets are among the most common culprits.
Do this instead: run the EPA's dye test. Put a few drops of food coloring in the toilet tank, wait 10 minutes, and if color shows up in the bowl, you have a leak. Flush afterward so it doesn't stain. The EPA also suggests replacing toilet flappers "at least once every five years." Check your water meter too: read it, use no water for two hours, and read it again. If it moved, you probably have a leak. More on that in how to do a water meter leak test.
### Stop not knowing where your main shutoff is
When a pipe bursts, the first minutes decide how much damage you get. The City of Phoenix tells residents to turn off water "using the valve near the location where it enters your home." It's just as clear about the meter: "DO NOT ATTEMPT TO TURN OFF THE WATER AT THE METER YOURSELF." If your house valve won't work, the city says to contact it to turn the water off at the meter.
Do this instead: find your house shutoff today, before you need it. Make sure it turns, and show everyone in the house where it is. Our guide on shutting off water to a fixture covers the smaller valves too.
### Stop ignoring old washing machine hoses
Rubber washer hoses wear out quietly. State Farm says a failed hose "can displace an average of 650 gallons of water per hour," and recommends replacing supply hoses every three to five years.
Do this instead: check the hot and cold hoses for cracks, bulges and damp spots. State Farm suggests doing that monthly, considering steel braided hoses, and turning off the washer valves if you'll be away for several days. See how often to replace washing machine hoses.
Which maintenance habits shorten the life of your plumbing?
These are the quiet ones. Nothing breaks right away, which is exactly why they get skipped.
### Stop skipping water heater maintenance
A tank water heater collects sediment over time. The EPA's WaterSense maintenance tips say to flush your water heater once a year "to reduce sediment buildup which can decrease efficiency," and to check the temperature and pressure relief valve at least once a year. The EPA also notes it may be best to hire a professional to service the water heater at least once a year.
Do this instead: put it on the calendar. Our page on how often to flush a water heater in Phoenix walks through it.
### Stop cranking fittings as tight as they'll go
More force feels like a better seal, but some fittings are made to be tightened by hand only. Fluidmaster's Click Seal supply lines are designed around "the recommended hand tightening to prevent supply line failure and resulting water damage," and the company says tools "are not recommended nor needed" for the Click Seal nut.
Do this instead: follow the maker's instructions for every supply line and fitting. If it says hand-tight, stop at hand-tight.
### Stop leaving outdoor pipes bare on freezing nights
Phoenix doesn't freeze often, but it does freeze. The City of Phoenix says water can freeze in irrigation pipe and, depending on the pipe type, break, and that "all irrigation and household plumbing outside your home should be insulated." For the backflow preventer on your water service, the city suggests rubber or foam insulation, or a thick blanket as a short-term fix.
Do this instead: on a freeze warning, wrap exposed outdoor pipes and the backflow preventer. The city also says you can remove, drain and store your garden hose somewhere warmer, like the garage, until the weather warms up. See can pipes freeze in Phoenix for the rest.
When is it time to call instead of fix?
A lot of this list is do-it-yourself. Call a licensed plumber when a drain stays clogged after a plunger and snake, when more than one drain backs up at once, when the meter test says you have a leak you can't find, or when water is coming through a ceiling or wall. Our page on when to stop DIY and call a plumber for a clog goes into the signs.
HQ is licensed and insured, runs 24/7 for emergencies, and gives free estimates with upfront pricing. And if the fix is a five-minute habit change, we'll tell you that too.