Let’s Uncover These 10 Common Plumbing Myths
Plumbing problems can be a real headache, but being tricked by popular misconceptions makes them even more problematic. You could be harming different plumbing fixtures, pipes or plumbing appliances and not even know it! Let’s get the facts right on 10 common plumbing myths to stop avoidable problems from cropping up.
Myth 1: Toilets Make Great Garbage Cans
It may appear easy to flush tissues, paper towels, cotton balls, hygiene products and other ‘seemingly’ flushable objects down the toilet, but this is a bad idea. Toilets are only made to handle human waste and bathroom tissue. Flushing other objects can cause blockages and pricey repairs, so use the trash can for non-flushable objects to avoid problems.
Myth 2: Flushable Wipes Are Okay to Use
Even with what the packaging says, flushable wipes are not safe for your plumbing. These wipes won’t disintegrate like toilet tissue and can obstruct your sewer pipe. Even if they make it past your plumbing system, flushable wipes continue to collect in the larger municipal sewer system, causing problems for utility workers. Thousands of tax dollars might be saved on sewer cleanup projects each year if everyone got rid of flushable wipes properly.
Myth 3: The Garbage Disposal Can “Dispose All”
Lots of people assume their garbage disposal can handle everything, but that’s not true. Items like gristle, used coffee grounds and eggshells can ruin the disposal or form another clog in your pipes. Grease is particularly well known for blocking pipes. No matter how much you try and clear out the pipes with hot water, the fat still solidifies and causes clogs. Pour fat into a hard container and throw it away once it cools down.
Myth 4: Using Lemon Peels to Clean Garbage Disposals
Putting lemon peels into the garbage disposal could give it a fresh scent temporarily, but the acid content and texture of the fibers of the peels can damage the blades used to break food down. A better way to clean your disposal is by sending a handful of ice cubes in the disposal’s drain, which {helps remove grease and other gunk without harming the blades. Baking soda and white vinegar is another safer, more thorough cleaning option.
Myth 5: Sharpening Disposal Blades with Ice Cubes
First of all, garbage disposals don’t actually use sharp blades to break food down—they use grinding tools to break down food. Ice cubes could help freshen the disposal by breaking up buildup, so go ahead and grind up a handful every so often. Just don’t expect them to sharpen the blades.
Myth 6: Water Heaters Are Maintenance-Free Appliances
Water heaters need routine maintenance to operate at their best. After enough time, sediment can collect, reducing efficiency and reducing your water heater’s total service life. Flushing the tank and inspecting the anode annually are the most beneficial steps to keep your water heater in good shape.
Myth 7: Tightening a Leaking Faucet Will Stop the Drip
A leaking faucet often starts with a worn-out washer or mechanism, not a loose handle. Over-tightening can damage the threads and worsen the problem. Rather than cranking the handle down further, contact a plumber to fix the underlying problem.
Myth 8: All Plumbing Services Are the Same
Plumbing services can vary significantly in quality. Certification, experience and reputation can make a big difference in the success of your plumbing service. Selecting an untrained plumber without the proper background can end up costing you more time in the long run.
Myth 9: You Can Always Handle Your Own Plumbing Fixture Installation
Putting in plumbing fixtures involves more than tightening screws. Plumbing systems are still somewhat complicated, and improper placement can lead to leaks, flooding and the expensive fixes that come with them. Save yourself the hassle by hiring a professional plumber for fixture installation.
Myth 10: You’ll Know When You Have a Plumbing Problem
Some plumbing problems are sometimes hard to spot until they cause serious damage. A seemingly minor leak might not make itself known until it’s caused significant water damage. Routine plumbing inspections are a good way to identify unseen problems early and prevent them from turning into major headaches.
Get Professional Plumbing Assistance
At Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing, we offer high-quality solutions for all your plumbing concerns. Our professionals have the expertise to keep everything moving smoothly, from your bathroom fixtures and sewer lines to your water heater and garbage disposal. If you’re not entirely happy with our work, we guarantee to make it right. Contact us today for dependable plumbing services at an affordable price.
