Your home plumbing system is an intricate system that must be maintained and treated properly. There are several things that many homeowners are guilty of doing that are terrible for the system. If you don't want to be calling a plumber every other day, here are four things you should definitely avoid doing:

1. Flushing the Wrong Things Down the Toilet

What you flush down your toilet has a serious impact on your entire sewage or septic system. Never flush anything down the toilet that does not belong in the toilet – it is not a trash can! Avoid flushing feminine hygiene products, kitty litter, baby wipes, facial cleaning wipes, or anything of the like. These products do not break down quickly enough to be flushed and can cause clogs and larger septic system issues.

2. Attempting Repairs Yourself

How often do you attempt to make repairs around the house without really knowing what you are doing? When it comes to the plumbing system, this is a big no-no. For instance, you may use harsh chemical cleaners in your attempt to fix a shower clog. However, those chemical cleaners can actually corrode your pipes, thus causing a bigger problem later. If you don't fully understand how to complete the repairs, leave it to a professional, like Black Forest Plumbing. Attempting the repairs yourself could cost you more in the long run.

3. Using Toilet Tank Drop-Ins

Those pretty blue tabs that are meant to keep your toilet bowl clean and fresh can be treacherous on the fixtures inside your toilet tank. They can cause the metal elements inside to corrode and cause the rubber seals to break down rapidly. If you like the pretty blue water, stick to using cleaner drop-ins that are added to the water inside the bowl, not the tank.

4. Over-stuffing the Garbage Disposal

Your garbage disposal is not designed to grind up a lot of food remains. Dump a few things in at a time, run warm water, and run the disposal until it is clear. Once it is clear, add a few more things and continue running it until it is clear again. Never ever pour grease down the disposal. Although it may appear to have gone down the drains, it will coagulate, stick to the sides of the pipes, and cause serious clogs that are not easy to clear out.

These are just four of the mistakes that many homeowners make on a daily basis. Avoid them and discuss what other things you can do to prevent plumbing problems with your plumber.