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Some experts estimate that descaling your cast iron pipes can extend their lifetime by upwards of 50 years, although there’s not a lot of research to prove it. But we do know that without proper maintenance, cast iron pipes can quickly rust—leading to more expensive issues like burst pipes or main line clogs.

A small amount of diluted bleach is okay to pour down a garbage disposal. As part of your weekly garbage disposal maintenance, use 1 teaspoon of bleach with your concoction of ice cubes and lemon peels. Turn on the disposal and run the water until the blades chop up the ice cubes.

Any more bleach in your disposal can harden oils and greases in your drain, which can cause problems. Always wear gloves when working with bleach, and know that you really don’t need bleach at all—vinegar, baking soda, salt, and ice should do the trick.

Pouring drain cleaner down a vent pipe isn’t recommended. First of all, unlike a clog in a sink or bath caused by such material as soap scum build-up, toothpaste, and hair, clogs in a vent pipe are likely the result of debris from trees or even an animal stuck in the pipe. Drain cleaners won’t be able to eat through this kind of material. The cleaner will only become clogged in the vent with the debris, causing even more problems.

Even if the shower drain doesn’t seem clogged or dirty, plan to clean it out about once per month—or more frequently if you or your family shed a lot of hair. It’s a good practice to remove any hair from the drain on a daily basis, as hair can accumulate fast and cause clogs in no time. You may also want to have a plumber thoroughly clean the drains in your home once every six months.