Plumbing might not be the most exciting thing to think about, until something goes wrong. One minute, your home is dry and cozy, and the next, you’ve got water spraying from a busted pipe like a geyser at Yellowstone. Homeowners in Amarillo make a lot of the same plumbing mistakes, often without realizing it. These mistakes can lead to costly repairs, high water bills, or even major water damage.
At Plumbing Amarillo TX, we’ve seen it all; leaky faucets, clogged toilets, and water heaters that stop working at the worst possible time. The good news is that most of these problems can be avoided if you know what to watch out for. Let’s go over the biggest plumbing mistakes people make in Amarillo and how to keep your home safe from expensive repairs.
1. Ignoring Small Leaks
A little drip from the kitchen sink or a small puddle under the bathroom faucet doesn’t seem like much. Maybe you wipe it up and move on with your day. But here’s the thing, those tiny leaks add up fast.
A single dripping faucet can waste hundreds of gallons of water each year. That’s money literally going down the drain.
Even worse, leaks can lead to mold, mildew, and wood rot. Before you know it, you’re not just fixing a leaky faucet, you’re replacing cabinets, floors, and drywall. If you notice a leak, even a small one, get it checked before it becomes a bigger problem.
2. Pouring Too Much Drain Cleaner Down the Pipes
When the sink starts draining slowly, a lot of people grab a bottle of chemical drain cleaner and pour the whole thing down. Sounds easy, right? But here’s the catch, those cleaners don’t just eat away at the clog; they also eat away at your pipes.
Many drain cleaners contain strong chemicals that can weaken PVC and metal pipes over time. If you find yourself reaching for a bottle of drain cleaner more than once every few months, you probably have a bigger plumbing issue that needs professional attention. A plumber can clear the clog without damaging your pipes.
3. Flushing the Wrong Stuff Down the Toilet
Your toilet is not a garbage disposal. You’d be surprised at what plumbers find clogging up pipes in Amarillo homes:
- Baby wipes (even the ones labeled “flushable” can cause problems)
- Paper towels (they don’t break down like toilet paper)
- Cotton swabs, floss, or hair (they can tangle up and create a nasty blockage)
- Feminine hygiene products (they expand in water and can completely block a pipe)
- Small toys (kids are curious, but plumbing repairs aren’t cheap)
If it’s not waste or toilet paper, don’t flush it. Clogged toilets can lead to overflowing messes, and in severe cases, they can cause damage to your sewer line.
4. Overloading the Garbage Disposal
Garbage disposals are convenient, but they’re not magic. Some things just don’t belong in there, no matter how tough the blades seem. If you dump the wrong things in, you could jam the disposal, dull the blades, or clog your pipes.
Things to never put down the disposal:
- Potato peels (they turn into a glue-like paste and clog pipes)
- Eggshells (they don’t break down well and can cause buildup)
- Coffee grounds (they clump together and form blockages)
- Grease, oil, or fat (it hardens and sticks to the inside of pipes)
- Pasta or rice (they absorb water and swell, creating stubborn clogs)
If you’re ever unsure, throw it in the trash instead of the sink.
More Reading:
- Things You Should Never Put Down Your Drain in Amarillo
- What Home Repairs Should You Never Ignore in Amarillo?
5. Trying DIY Plumbing
There’s nothing wrong with being handy, but plumbing is not as simple as tightening a screw. Amarillo homeowners sometimes watch a quick YouTube video and feel confident enough to handle major repairs. But one wrong move can turn a minor issue into a disaster.
Some of the biggest DIY plumbing fails include:
- Over-tightening connections (this can crack pipes and cause leaks)
- Using the wrong type of pipe (mixing materials like PVC and metal without the right connectors can lead to corrosion)
- Installing a water heater incorrectly (this can be dangerous if gas lines or pressure valves aren’t set up right)
- Forgetting to turn off the water (this leads to an unexpected indoor flood)
If you’re not sure what you’re doing, it’s always safer to call a professional plumber.
6. Forgetting to Protect Pipes from Freezing
Amarillo doesn’t get as cold as some northern states, but winter still brings freezing temperatures. And when pipes freeze, they can burst, causing thousands of dollars in damage.
To protect your pipes from freezing:
- Insulate exposed pipes (especially in garages, attics, and crawl spaces)
- Keep a slow trickle of water running on extremely cold nights
- Open cabinet doors under sinks (this helps warm air circulate around the pipes)
A little preparation can save you from a major plumbing disaster when temperatures drop.
7. Skipping Regular Plumbing Maintenance
Your plumbing system needs regular checkups just like your car. Most people don’t think about their pipes, water heater, or drains until something goes wrong. But by then, it’s often a bigger, more expensive problem.
Simple maintenance tips:
- Check for leaks regularly (look under sinks and around toilets)
- Drain and flush your water heater once a year (this removes sediment buildup)
- Clean out your drains (to prevent slow clogs from turning into full blockages)
- Schedule a professional plumbing inspection (this can catch problems early)
8. Ignoring Water Pressure Issues
Low water pressure can be annoying, but it’s also a sign that something isn’t right. If your shower is suddenly weak or your faucets trickle instead of flow, there could be a problem in your pipes.
Common causes of low water pressure:
- Clogged pipes (from mineral buildup or debris)
- Leaks (somewhere in the plumbing system)
- Faulty pressure regulators (these control water flow)
Don’t ignore water pressure issues, they often signal bigger problems waiting to happen.
9. Letting Hard Water Ruin Your Pipes and Appliances
Amarillo has hard water, which means it’s full of minerals like calcium and magnesium. Over time, hard water can cause buildup inside pipes, reducing water flow and damaging appliances like dishwashers and water heaters.
To combat hard water:
- Use a water softener (this helps reduce mineral buildup)
- Flush your water heater regularly (to prevent sediment from clogging it)
- Clean faucet aerators (they can get clogged with mineral deposits)
Call Us Today
If you’ve made any of these plumbing mistakes, don’t worry, you’re not alone. But the longer you wait, the worse the problem can get. Plumbing Amarillo TX is here to help with everything from small leaks to major repairs. Give us a call today, and let’s keep your plumbing in top shape.
Attribution: Cover Image by FreePik
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