Nobody wants plumbing issues. Nobody wakes up in the morning and thinks to themselves, “Man, it would be great if my toilet overflowed today”! That’s just the truth. Another (less pleasant, truth): a lot of the potential plumbing problems you can face as a homeowner are mostly avoidable.

We’ve gathered the four most frequently made plumbing mistakes – and why they cause problems – so that you can keep them in mind and avoid them in the future, saving you a headache and saving your home the potential damage.

Using chemical drain cleaners

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again, over and over, until absolutely everyone hears: don’t use chemical drain cleaners. They do clear drains, but they clear drains through caustic chemical reactions that can’t tell the difference between a blockage made from hair or paper and the pipes themselves. The more you use them, the more they wear away at the inner walls of your pipes until cracks start to happen.

Trying DIY on complicated problems

We’ve all been there: you notice a small problem in your home and with a chortle of, “I’ve got this!” you go to tackle it, only to somehow find that you have no idea how to put together the thing you just took apart.

It’s not that you aren’t smart or capable, it’s just that sometimes things are better left to the experts. You’ll save money going to professionals first instead of taking a DIY stab at something your local plumber took special training for.

Ignoring problems while they’re still small

The quickest way to have a small plumbing problem turn into a big one is by ignoring the problem while it’s still small. A dripping faucet may seem like nothing at first, but over time, it can erode the inside of your faucet to the point where things don’t just need to be tightened up, but completely replaced. A small ticking sound in your walls can turn into a burst pipe if left unaddressed. Slightly slow drains can turn into overflowing septic tanks if not checked into. If you notice something, act on it right away.

Being negligent about the things that go down your drains

Just because you technically can flush just about anything down your toilet (or grind it through your garbage disposal) doesn’t mean you should. There are some things you should never toss down the drain, including grease, oil, feminine hygiene products, diapers, egg shells, coffee grounds, and any fibrous food like celery or potato skins. Long story short: don’t put something down your drain unless it’s water, human waste, or soap.

Avoid the above s and you’ll already be way ahead of your colleagues, neighbors, and most passers-by. If disaster strikes, even when you’ve made your best effort to avoid it, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing® of Dallas is always nearby to lend a helping hand.