10 things your plumber wishes you wouldn't do

cleaning

Karen B. Gibbs TODAY contributor

May 7, 2014 at 10:28 AM ET

Johnny Lye

Your toilets clogged again, and this time its all your fault. (Who knew flushable kitty litter wasnt flushable?) To help you avoid any future clogs, floods or breakdowns, we asked plumbers across the country to share their customers biggest mistakesand how they can be avoided.

1.You reach for the Drano.

Forget using chemicals to open or clear drainsthey rarely get the job all the way done, says Steve Reckon, fourth generation owner of Southern Californias Reckon Plumbing. Plus, not only are the chemicals very harsh and dangerous for you to handle, they can also ruin drain pipes and the equipment used to clear the stoppage. Hint: To prevent blockages in the first place, keep notorious cloggers like grease and hair out of drains.

2.You treat the toilet like a garbage can.

Even if theyre labeled flushable, dont toss feminine hygiene products, personal cleaning wipes, toilet scrubbers, make-up remover pads or cat litter into the toilet, says Reckon. The fact is, they dont disintegrate quickly enough and can ultimately block the drain pipe.

3.You try to tackle the plumbing problems yourself

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10 things your plumber wishes you wouldn't do