Let’s Dispel These 10 Common Plumbing Myths
Issues with your home’s plumbing can be a real nuisance, but falling for popular misconceptions can make them even more problematic. You might be harming your plumbing’s taps, drains or appliances and not even know it! Let’s set the record straight on these 10 plumbing misconceptions to stop preventable problems from cropping up.
Myth 1: It’s Okay to Throw Trash Away in the Toilet
It may look easy to flush facial tissues, paper towels, cotton pads, feminine hygiene products and other ‘seemingly’ flushable things down the toilet, but it’s a bad idea. Toilets are only made to handle human waste and toilet paper. Flushing other objects can lead to plumbing issues and expensive repair work, so opt for the trash can for unflushable items to avoid any issues.
Myth 2: Flushable Wipes Are Okay to Use
In spite of what the packaging says, flushable wipes aren’t actually all that safe for your plumbing. These wipes can’t disintegrate like toilet paper and can obstruct your sewer pipe. Even if they get through your home’s plumbing, flushable wipes accumulate in the broader sewer system, worsening problems for waste management. Your tax dollars could be saved on sewer cleanup projects each year if everyone threw away flushable wipes properly.
Myth 3: The Garbage Disposal Can “Dispose All”
Many people assume the kitchen garbage disposal can break down anything, but that’s not the case. Things like chicken bones, coffee grounds and shells of an egg can damage the disposal or block your plumbing. Fat is particularly well known for obstructing plumbing. No matter how much you rinse the sink with boiling water, the oil eventually congeals and causes plumbing issues. Pour oil into a container and throw it away once it cools.
Myth 4: You Can Clean Your Garbage Disposals with Lemon Peels
Throwing lemon peels in your garbage disposal could make it smell better temporarily, but the acid content and texture of the fibers of the peels can wear out the blades. A better way to deodorize the garbage disposal is by tossing a handful of ice down the grease and other debris without damaging the blades. Sodium bicarbonate and vinegar is another safer, more thorough cleaning solution.
Myth 5: You Can Sharpen Disposal Blades with Ice
First of all, garbage disposals don’t actually use sharp spinning blades to break pieces of food down—they use duller metal to smash food into smaller pieces. Ice cubes may help clean the disposal by removing debris, so feel free to grind up a handful now and then. Just don’t expect them to sharpen the blades.
Myth 6: You Don’t Need to Maintain New Water Heaters
Water heaters should be given routine maintenance to operate at their best. After enough time, sediment can collect inside, reducing efficiency and potentially limiting your water heater’s life span. Flushing the tank and examining the water heater’s anode rod once yearly are the most helpful steps to keep the water heater in good shape.
Myth 7: You Can Fix Leaky Faucets by Tightening Them
A leaking faucet usually suggests a broken seal or cartridge, not a loose handle. Over-tightening can strip the threads and exacerbate the drip. Instead of just muscling the handle down as far as possible, reach out to a plumber to fix the root cause.
Myth 8: All Plumbers Are the Same
Plumbing services can vary significantly in quality. Licensing, experience and reputation can make a big difference in the quality of your plumbing job. Opting for a low-cost plumber without the proper credentials might end up costing you more in the long run.
Myth 9: It’s Easy to Install Plumbing Fixtures Yourself
Putting in plumbing fixtures involves more than tightening screws. Plumbing systems are intricate, and improper installation can lead to leaks, water damage and the high repair costs that come with them. Avoid the headache by hiring a professional plumber for fixture installation.
Myth 10: You’ll Know When You Have a Plumbing Problem
More insidious plumbing problems might be hard to notice until they cause serious damage. A seemingly minor leak might not be very obvious until it’s created significant water damage. Regular plumbing inspections are a good way to identify hidden problems earlier to help them from escalating into an expensive disaster.
Get Professional Plumbing Assistance
At Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing, we provide Expert solutions for all your plumbing needs. Our trained and certified plumbers have the knowledge to keep everything running smoothly, from your bathroom fixtures and sewer lines to your water heater and garbage disposal. If you are not entirely happy with our work, we guarantee to resolve the issue. Contact us today for reliable plumbing services at fair, honest prices.
