Let’s Uncover 10 Plumbing Misconceptions
Issues with your home’s plumbing can be a real nuisance, but believing in common misconceptions can make them even more frustrating to try and resolve. You could be harming your faucets, drains or even major fixtures and not even realize it! Let’s get the facts right on 10 stubborn plumbing myths to stop avoidable problems from cropping up.
Myth 1: It’s Okay to Throw Trash Away in the Toilet
It may seem easy to flush facial tissues, paper towels, cotton pads, sanitary items and other ‘seemingly’ flushable objects down the drain, but it’s a bad idea. Toilets are only built to handle human waste and toilet paper. Flushing other items can result in clogs and expensive repairs, so stick to the trash can for non-disposable objects to avoid trouble.
Myth 2: Flushable Wipes Are Safe to Flush
Even with what the box states, flushable wipes are not safe for your pipes and drainage. These wipes don’t break down like toilet tissue and can obstruct your sewer pipe. Even if they can make it through your home’s plumbing, flushable wipes continue to collect in the wider sewer system, leading to problems for utility workers. Taxpayer dollars can be saved on sewer cleanup costs each year if everyone got rid of flushable wipes in the trash.
Myth 3: The Garbage Disposal Can “Dispose All”
Many people think the kitchen garbage disposal can handle it all, but that’s not correct. Things like chicken bones, coffee grinds and shells of an egg can clog the disposal or obstruct your plumbing. Oil is especially notorious for clogging plumbing. No matter how much you rinse the sink with warm water, the grease eventually congeals and causes clogs. Pour fat into a sealable jar and dispose of it once it cools.
Myth 4: Using Lemon Peels to Clean Garbage Disposals
Tossing a few lemon peels in your garbage disposal could give it a fresh scent for a while, but the citric acid and texture of the fibers of the peels can wear out the blades. A safer way to clean the garbage disposal is by tossing a handful of ice cubes in the disposal’s drain, which {helps remove grease and other buildup without breaking the blades. Baking soda and vinegar is another safer, more thorough cleaning solution.
Myth 5: Ice Cubes Sharpen Garbage Disposal Blades
First of all, garbage disposals don’t actually use sharp blades to break food down—they use duller metal to pulverize food. Ice cubes may help freshen the disposal by knocking off debris, so feel free to grind up a handful now and then. Just don’t expect them to sharpen anything.
Myth 6: Newly Installed Water Heaters Don’t Require Maintenance
Water heaters should be given regular maintenance to operate at their best. After enough time, sediment can accumulate, lowering performance and potentially limiting your water heater’s life span. Draining the tank and checking the water heater’s anode rod once yearly are the most important steps to keep the water heater in good shape.
Myth 7: Many Leaks Are Fixed by Tightening the Faucet
A leaking faucet usually suggests a worn-out washer or cartridge, not a loose handle. Over-tightening may damage the threads and worsen the problem. Instead of just muscling the handle down further, reach out to a plumber to address the root cause.
Myth 8: All Plumbing Services Are the Same
Plumbing services can vary significantly in quality. Licensing, a work background and word of mouth can make a big difference in the success of your plumbing job. Selecting a cheap plumber without the right experience could end up costing you more in the long run.
Myth 9: Anyone Can Install Their Own Plumbing Fixtures
Setting up plumbing fixtures is more in-depth than just screwing on parts. Systems for residential plumbing are complex, and improper installation can cause leaks, flooding and the expensive fixes 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
A few plumbing problems can be hard to spot until they escalate. A seemingly slight leak might not be noticeable until it’s resulted in significant structural damage. Regular plumbing inspections are a good way to identify unseen problems earlier to prevent them from turning into major headaches.
Contact a Plumber for More Help
At Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing, we offer Expert solutions for all your plumbing needs. Our professionals have the skills to keep everything running smoothly, from your bathroom fixtures and sewer lines to the water heater and garbage disposal. If you’re not completely happy with our work, you can rely on us to resolve the issue. Contact us today for dependable plumbing services at fair, honest prices.
