Quarantine Home Maintenance Tips
Shortages of toilet paper and other household items are common right now. Unfortunately making substitutions for these hard-to-find items can cause expensive damage to your water pipes, washing machines, and dishwashers. While you’re stuck at home, you’re probably using your appliances more than ever. Take care of them by avoiding these common but harmful substitutions. Not only will your appliances thank you but so will your wallet. Flushing paper towels, using the wrong soap in your dishwasher, and overstuffing your washing machine are just a few actions that can lead to leaks and flooding in your home. Keep reading to learn more about what you can do to avoid water damage while stuck at home.
What Not to Flush
During this uncertain time, a shortage of toilet paper could have you thinking of alternatives. Unfortunately, that may backfire. Toilet paper is the only non-naturally occurring substance that is safe to flush. Using replacements for toilet paper can cause sewer backups and clogs. Not only can this damage cause thousands of dollars to repair but it also won’t be fun when you’re stuck at home dealing with a smelly mess. Here is a list of some of the most common items that are flushed but shouldn’t be:
- Paper towels
- Baby wipes
- Menstrual products
- Floss
- Q-Tips
- Diapers
- Hair
- Nail Clippings
- Food
- Cooking Grease
Dishwasher Detergent
Another item that shouldn’t be substituted is dishwasher detergent. Even dish soap that you would use to hand wash dishes won’t cut it. Regular dish soap creates a lot of suds. If you use it in your dishwasher, it could overflow causing water damage. In addition, if you keep using regular dish soap in your dishwasher, soap scum buildup is common. Dishwasher detergent is the only option that safely cleans your dishes without damaging your appliance.
Washing Machine Overstuff
Overstuffing your washing machine can keep it from draining during the cycle and cause leaking water. You should also be careful about the type of items that end up in your washing machine. There are certain items that can cause irreparable damage to your appliance. Being stuck in your home without a functioning washing machine doesn’t seem like a good time. Keep the following items out of your washing machine:
- Coins
- Zippers
- Flammable stains
- Comforter
- Embellishments
ServiceMaster TEAM in Fort Worth, Texas is your local water and fire damage, restoration expert. We hope you stay water damage-free while stuck at home. If you do need a water damage restoration expert in Fort Worth, you can count on us. During this uncertain time, we’re doing all we can to help our employees, customers, and community stay healthy. You can expect our team to follow current CDC recommendations during every service. We are committed to superior results and customer service all year long. Contact us to learn more about our services.
Photo by Vie Studio
