Let’s Dispel 10 Common Plumbing Myths
Issues with your home’s plumbing can be a real nuisance, but believing in popular misconceptions makes them even worse. You might be harming your faucets, drains or appliances and not even be aware of it! Let’s get the facts right on 10 stubborn plumbing myths to stop avoidable damage from occurring.
Myth 1: Toilets Are Suitable Trash Cans
It may seem easy to flush tissues, napkins, cotton balls, hygiene products and other ‘seemingly’ flushable items down the toilet, but that’s a bad choice. Toilets are only built to handle human waste and toilet paper. Flushing other objects can result in blockages and costly repairs, so stick to the trash can for non-flushable items to avoid any issues.
Myth 2: Flushable Wipes Are Safe to Flush
Even with what the packaging says, flushable wipes are not safe for your pipes. These wipes can’t break down like toilet paper and can block up your sewer pipe. Even if they make it past your house’s plumbing, flushable wipes build up in the wider sewage system, causing headaches for utility workers. Your tax dollars might be saved on sewer cleanup efforts each year if everyone threw away flushable wipes properly.
Myth 3: You Can Put Anything in the Garbage Disposal
Lots of people think their garbage disposal can handle anything, but that’s not true. Items like gristle, coffee grounds and shells of an egg can clog the disposal or obstruct your plumbing. Oil is particularly notorious for obstructing drains. No matter how much you rinse the sink with hot water, the grease gradually solidifies and causes clogs. Pour fat into a hard container and toss it out once it cools.
Myth 4: You Can Clean Your Garbage Disposals with Lemon Peels
Tossing a few lemon peels into the garbage disposal may give it a fresh scent temporarily, but the acid content and fiber content of the peels can cause wear and tear on the blades. A better way to clean the garbage disposal is by tossing a handful of ice cubes washes away oil and other buildup without harming the blades. Common household items like baking soda and vinegar is another safe, thorough option for cleaning the disposal.
Myth 5: Sharpening Disposal Blades with Ice Cubes
First of all, garbage disposals don’t actually use sharp cutting edges to break food down—they use grinding tools to break down food. Ice cubes may help clean the disposal by removing debris, so go ahead and crush a handful occasionally. Just don’t count on them to sharpen anything.
Myth 6: Newly Installed Water Heaters Don’t Require Maintenance
Water heaters require a regular schedule of professional maintenance to operate as efficiently as possible. After enough time, residue can collect, reducing efficiency and reducing your water heater’s total service life. Cleaning out the tank and examining the water heater’s anode rod annually are the most important steps to keep your water heater in good shape.
Myth 7: If a Faucet Leaks, Try Closing It Tighter
A leaking faucet generally starts with a damaged seal or valve, not a handle that’s come loose. Over-tightening may wear out the threads and worsen the problem. Instead of cranking the handle down further, call a plumber to repair the main issue.
Myth 8: All Plumbing Services Are the Same
Even though they’re all plumbers, you can’t just pick anyone out of the phone book. Licensing, work experience and reviews can make a big difference in the quality of your plumbing job. Selecting a low-cost plumber without the proper credentials could end up costing you more in the long run.
Myth 9: Anyone Can Install Their Own Plumbing Fixtures
Installing plumbing fixtures is more in-depth than just hooking a few things up. Plumbing systems are still somewhat complicated, and improper placement can cause leaks, water damage and the high repair costs that come with them. Minimize the risk of trouble by calling a professional plumber for installation projects.
Myth 10: Problems Are Easy to Notice
Some plumbing problems are sometimes hard to notice until they start causing real trouble. A seemingly small leak might not make itself known until it’s created widespread water damage. Professional plumbing inspections can help catch growing problems early and prevent them from turning into an enormous headache.
Get Professional Plumbing Assistance
At Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing, we deliver professional assistance for all your plumbing problems. Our trained and certified plumbers have the expertise to keep everything moving smoothly, from your bathroom fixtures and sewer lines to the water heater and garbage disposal. If you’re not totally happy with our work, you can count on us to resolve the issue. Contact us today for dependable plumbing services at an affordable price.
