Let’s Debunk 10 Common Plumbing Myths
Issues with your home’s plumbing can be a real headache, but believing in widespread misconceptions often makes them even more frustrating to try and resolve. You could be harming different plumbing fixtures, drains or plumbing appliances and not even know it! Let’s get the facts right on 10 common plumbing myths to stop unnecessary problems from occurring.
Myth 1: Toilets Make Great Garbage Cans
It may seem convenient to flush facial tissues, napkins, cotton, sanitary items and other ‘seemingly’ flushable objects down the toilet, but this is a bad decision. Toilets are only designed to handle organic waste and bathroom tissue. Flushing other items can cause clogs and costly repair work, so stick to the trash can for non-disposable objects to avoid trouble.
Myth 2: Flushable Wipes Are Safe to Flush
In spite of what the box states, flushable wipes are not safe for your pipes. These wipes won’t decompose like toilet tissue and can clog your sewer pipe. Even if they make it past your plumbing system, flushable wipes accumulate in the larger sewage system, leading to headaches for sanitation workers. Thousands of tax dollars could be saved on sewer cleanup efforts each year if everyone threw away flushable wipes in the trash.
Myth 3: The Garbage Disposal Can “Dispose All”
A large number of people believe their garbage disposal can handle everything, but that’s not correct. Things like chicken bones, used coffee grounds and eggshells can damage the disposal or obstruct your pipes. Grease is particularly infamous for clogging drains. No matter how much you flush the drain with boiling water, the oil gradually congeals and causes problems. Pour hot grease into a sealable jar and toss it out once it cools down.
Myth 4: You Can Clean Your Garbage Disposals with Lemon Peels
Tossing a few lemon peels into the garbage disposal could freshen the scent temporarily, but the citric acid and texture of the fibers of the peels can wear out the blades. A safer way to deodorize the garbage disposal is by sending a handful of ice cubes into your fat and other gunk without harming the blades. Baking soda and vinegar is another safer, more thorough option for cleaning the disposal.
Myth 5: Ice Cubes Sharpen Garbage Disposal Blades
First of all, garbage disposals don’t actually use sharp cutting edges to break food down—they use duller metal to break down food. Ice cubes may help clean the disposal by knocking off debris, so go ahead and grind up a handful occasionally. Just don’t expect them to sharpen the blades.
Myth 6: Water Heaters Are Maintenance-Free Appliances
Water heaters need a regular schedule of professional maintenance to run as efficiently as possible. After enough time, buildup can collect, reducing efficiency and reducing your water heater’s total service life. Flushing the tank and inspecting the water heater’s anode rod once yearly are the most beneficial steps to keep your water heater in good shape.
Myth 7: You Can Fix Leaky Faucets by Tightening Them
A leaking faucet often suggests a broken seal or valve, not a loose handle. Over-tightening can damage the threads and exacerbate the problem. Instead of just cranking the handle down as far as possible, reach out to a plumber to fix the underlying problem.
Myth 8: All Plumbers Are the Same
Plumbing services can vary significantly in quality. Licensing, work experience and reputation can make a big difference in the quality of your plumbing job. Opting for a low-cost plumber without the appropriate experience might end up costing you more time in the long run.
Myth 9: Anyone Can Install Their Own Plumbing Fixtures
Installing plumbing fixtures is more than just tightening screws. Plumbing systems are complex, and improper installation can result in leaks, water damage and the costly repairs that come with them. Minimize the risk of trouble by hiring a professional plumber for installation projects.
Myth 10: Problems Are Easy to Notice
Some plumbing problems can be difficult to detect until they cause serious damage. A seemingly small leak might not make itself known until it’s caused significant water damage. Professional plumbing inspections can help identify unseen problems early and stop them from turning into an enormous headache.
Contact a Plumber for More Help
At Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing, we deliver Expert services for all your plumbing problems. Our professionals have the expertise to keep everything flowing smoothly, from your bathroom fixtures and sewer lines to your water heater and garbage disposal. If you’re not entirely happy with our work, you can rely on us to fix it. Contact us today for affordable plumbing services at fair, honest prices.
