Believe it or not, millions of homeowners from all around the world are causing serious damage to their properties without even knowing it. While houses are not the most delicate things in the world, they are not immune to damage. Even some simple things like wiping the floors can result in eventual property damage if you are using the wrong cleaning products.
As you can imagine, fixing property damage doesn’t come cheap. Therefore, if you don’t want to waste a small fortune on home repairs, you should be careful about how you are treating your house. To help you avoid these problems, we have created a list of the five most common ways homeowners are causing damage to their properties. So, let’s check them out.
Flushing Trash Down the Toilet
Your toilet is not a trash can. Period! You would be surprised how many people are using toilets to dispose of their trash. While toilets can flush most of the things tossed into them, that practice is not recommended. Pipes that lead from your home to the sewer line can clog up easily, causing your toilet to overflow and spill nasty sewer water all over your bathroom. The biggest problem with this is persuading people not to do it, because they may have been flushing trash down the toilet for years and not have a single problem. However, over time, things will pile up and ultimately cause your toilet to spill its guts. So, make sure you throw the garbage in your trash can.
Ignoring Mould Problems
Mould and damp are one of the most common problems in households. The worst part is that many homeowners ignore them. Sure, a small damp stain on the wall is not that big of a problem. However, if left untreated, it will expand and probably cause mould formation. As you may know, mould is hazardous to your health, especially to your respiratory system. Inhaling microscopic mould spores can trigger asthma problems, lead to the development of allergies and so on. But not only that; mould and damp can damage the structure of your house, too.
Smoking Inside Your Home
Smoking is a nasty habit, there is no need debating that, but it can also damage your property if you smoke inside of it. Unlike previous examples from this list, smoking won’t compromise the structural integrity of your home, clog up pipes, or affect the environment. Instead, smoking inside will stain your walls, stink up your furniture and clothing, and destroy the quality of air inside your house. After all, there is a reason why indoor smoking is banned in the United States. So, if you can’t stop smoking, at least take it outside.
Using Hard chemicals for Cleaning
Now, how can a cleaning product damage your property? Well, the answer is rather simple. Repeated use of hard and toxic chemicals, which are found in various cleaning products, can and will cause damage.
For example, drain cleaner products contain super strong chemicals; otherwise, they wouldn’t be able to unclog your pipes. However, their downside is that they can cause rust and even destroy your pipes. Another common mistake people make is using improper cleaning products. There is a reason why wood and ceramics have different cleaners. If you scrub your hardwood floor with a ceramics cleaner, you can damage the protective polish, which will cause wood to dry and rot.
However, toxic materials are not just in cleaning products, they can be found in paint and even inside your walls. Many homes painted and built before the 1990s can contain lead and asbestos, both of which are extremely hazardous materials for people and the environment. For example, Australia has been fighting this problem for years now. Homeowners weren’t aware of this threat until recently, and now, environmental consultants in Sydney have their hands full. You see, the only way to find whether your home is affected or not is to conduct a detailed inspection, which requires specialized equipment. So, if you are concerned that your house may have some traces of asbestos or lead, you need to carry out these tests as soon as possible.
Using a Drain As a Waste Disposal
Finally, your kitchen drain is not a garbage bin. Similarly to toilets, people often toss food leftovers down the drain. However, by far the biggest offense is pouring down hot grease. This is undoubtedly the worst thing you can do because grease can cause permanent damage to your pipes. Furthermore, in some extreme cases, it is almost impossible to remove grease from inside the pipes without taking apart your kitchen sink or tearing down your walls.
If you find yourself doing any of the above-mentioned things, stop doing them immediately. Sure, you may not have experienced any drain blockages or health problems from indoor smoking, but that day will come eventually. And it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Author Bio: Will Sandford is a Sydney based wood architect, blogger and contributor on interior design and ecology blogs. Besides that, he is also interested in home improvement combined with green technology. In his spare time, Will enjoys surfing and rock climbing. He is also a regular contributor to SmoothDecorator. Connect with him on Twitter.
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