Common Plumbing Mistakes to Avoid (And What to Do Instead)

Your home’s plumbing system handles a lot on any given day, and a few small habits can either protect it or slowly wear it down. The good news is that most common plumbing mistakes are easy to avoid once you know what they are. Here are the key dos and don’ts of home plumbing to share with everyone in your household, plus a few tips for catching problems early before they become expensive repairs.

Plumbing Mistakes to Avoid: Tips for Every Homeowner

These five tips can help you prevent clogs, protect your pipes, and keep your home’s plumbing system running well year-round.

1. Never Flush Wipes of Any Kind

This is one of the most common plumbing mistakes homeowners make and one of the most damaging. So-called flushable wipes should never go down the toilet, no matter what the label says. Unlike toilet paper, wipes do not break down in water. Over time, flushed wipes cause clogs, can damage pipes, and harm sewer and septic systems.

This rule applies to disinfectant wipes, baby wipes, and all other kinds of wet wipes. While you’re at it, remind everyone in your home about this full list of what not to flush down the toilet:

• Wipes of any kind — flushable, baby, disinfectant, or wet wipes
• Tissues and paper towels
• Cotton balls and cotton swabs
• Tampons and feminine hygiene products
• Dental floss
• Medications
• Diapers

If any of these items are kept in your bathroom, make sure a trash bin is within easy reach because that’s where they belong.

2. Never Use the Garbage Disposal as a Garbage Can

Your garbage disposal is designed for small amounts of soft food scraps, not everything that’s left on your plate. Some of the most common garbage disposal dos and don’ts can even surprise experienced homeowners.

Never put these down your garbage disposal:

• Grease, oil, or fat: they solidify in pipes and cause clogs
• Coffee grounds: they accumulate and create a thick, pasty buildup
• Eggshells: the membrane can wrap around the grinding components
• Fibrous vegetables like celery, artichokes, or asparagus
• Starchy foods like pasta, rice, and potato peels
• Hard items like fruit pits and bones

Always run cold water before, during, and after using your disposal to help move debris through the drain line. See our garbage disposal maintenance guide for more tips.

3. Give Drains Time Between Showers

If your household runs multiple showers back-to-back, slower drains may struggle to keep up. It’s a good idea to remind family members to wait ten minutes between showers, especially in older homes. Allowing those extra minutes in between will give slower drains the time they need to do their job.

4. Never Use Chemical Drain Cleaners

Chemical drain cleaners may seem like an easy, quick fix for a clogged or slow drain, but they can lead to long-term, costly problems. The active ingredient in these cleaners is typically lye or sulfuric acid, which can corrode pipes, especially older metal ones, and is harmful to the environment.

Better chemical drain cleaner alternatives include:

• A plunger: the most effective first step for most drain and toilet clogs
• A drain snake or hand auger: ideal for tougher clogs deeper in the pipe
• Baking soda and white vinegar: a non-toxic combination that can clear minor buildup. Use a mixture of ½ to 1 cup of baking soda and 1 cup of white vinegar for minor clogs.
• An enzyme-based drain cleaner: gentler on pipes and effective for organic buildup

For persistent or recurring clogs, the best move is to call a licensed plumber. Repeated clogs can signal a deeper issue in your drain line. See our guide to clearing clogged drains for step-by-step help.

5. Always Add Drain Screens

If you have not done so already, install properly fitting drain screens and sink stoppers to prevent food, hair, and other things from going down the drain. These simple preventive measures can help prevent pipe clogging. Learn more about proper plumbing maintenance with these tips.

Know the Signs of a Plumbing Leak

One of the most overlooked plumbing mistakes is ignoring early warning signs of a leak. A sudden increase in your water bill is often the first signal, but there are other signs worth knowing. Other clues that your home has a possible water leak include:

• Mildew stains on baseboards, walls, or floors
• Damp or wet flooring (not from recent water use)
• Water damage or stains on the ceiling
• Damp ground outside your home
• Sounds of running water when no fixtures are in use

Keep the areas under the kitchen and bathroom sinks clear so you can easily spot drips or moisture quickly. It's also a good idea to remind everyone in your household about the location of your home's shut-off valves for the washing machine, kitchen, bathroom sinks, toilets, and water heater, so you can act quickly if a leak occurs.

Protect Your Home’s Plumbing with a Home Warranty

Plumbing is included with basic coverage from First American Home Warranty, providing a convenient way to manage covered repairs such as a pipe leak, a drain stoppage, or a water heater failure. You can submit a service request either via phone or online through your Homeowner Center 24/7, and a prescreened technician will be dispatched to help diagnose the issue. Home warranty plans can also include additional home appliances and systems, such as dishwashers, ovens, ranges, and cooktops; electrical and HVAC systems; and more. With unlimited service requests, home warranties offer a convenient way to help your home run smoothly when covered items break due to normal wear and tear.

Learn about all the home systems and appliances a home warranty can cover, or get a quote today.

First American Home Warranty’s Plumbing FAQs

What should you never flush down a toilet?

Never flush wipes of any kind, including flushable wipes, baby wipes, and disinfectant wipes. Other items that must always go in the trash include cotton balls, cotton swabs, tampons, dental floss, diapers, tissues, and medications. Even products labeled ‘flushable’ do not break down like toilet paper and can cause serious pipe clogs and sewer damage over time.

What should you not put down a garbage disposal?

Avoid grease, oil, and fat — they solidify in pipes and cause clogs. Other items to avoid include coffee grounds, eggshells, fibrous vegetables such as celery and artichokes, starchy foods such as pasta and rice, fruit pits, and bones. Always run cold water before, during, and after running your garbage disposal to help flush debris through the drain line.

Are chemical drain cleaners safe to use?

Chemical drain cleaners are not recommended for regular use. Their active ingredients can corrode pipes over time, especially older metal plumbing. Safer alternatives include a plunger, a drain snake, or a mixture of ½ to 1 cup of baking soda and 1 cup of white vinegar for minor clogs. For persistent or recurring clogs, call a licensed plumber.

How can I tell if I have a plumbing leak?

Common signs of a hidden plumbing leak include an unexplained increase in your water bill, mildew stains or musty odors on walls or baseboards, damp or soft flooring, water stains on ceilings, and damp ground near your home’s foundation. Check under sinks regularly and make sure everyone in your household knows where the main shut-off valve for your home is located.

Does a home warranty cover plumbing?

Yes. Plumbing is included in basic coverage with First American Home Warranty. When a covered plumbing component fails due to normal wear and use, you can submit a service request through your Homeowner Center 24/7 or via phone, and a prescreened technician will diagnose the issue. Service requests are unlimited, so you can always get help when you need it.

The contents of this article are provided for general guidance only. First American Home Warranty does not assume any responsibility for losses or damages as a result of using this information.

Please be aware that if you disassemble a covered system or item, it can invalidate your home warranty or manufacturer's warranty.