Let’s Debunk 10 Plumbing Misconceptions
Plumbing problems can be a real hassle, but being tricked by popular misconceptions often makes them even more problematic. You might be harming your faucets, drains or plumbing appliances and not even be aware of it! Let’s set the record straight on these 10 plumbing misconceptions to stop avoidable damage from cropping up.
Myth 1: It’s Okay to Throw Trash Away in the Toilet
It may seem convenient to flush face tissues, paper towels, cotton, sanitary items and other ‘seemingly’ flushable items down the toilet drain, but this is a bad idea. Toilets are only built to handle organic waste and bathroom tissue. Flushing other items can lead to clogs and expensive repair work, so stick to the trash can for non-flushable objects to avoid trouble.
Myth 2: Flushable Wipes Are Safe to Flush
Despite what the packaging says, flushable wipes are not safe for your plumbing. These wipes won’t decompose like bath tissue and can clog your sewer pipe. Even if they make it past your home’s plumbing, flushable wipes continue to collect in the wider sewer system, worsening problems for utility workers. Taxpayer dollars might be saved on sewer cleanup efforts each year if everyone got rid of flushable wipes properly.
Myth 3: You Can Put Anything in the Garbage Disposal
Many people think their garbage disposal can handle anything, but that’s not correct. Items like animal bones, used coffee grounds and eggshells can ruin the disposal or form another clog in your pipes. Oil is especially notorious for clogging drains. No matter how much you flush the pipes with hot water, the grease gradually hardens and causes plumbing issues. Pour hot grease into a sealable jar and toss it out once it cools.
Myth 4: Lemon Peels Clean Garbage Disposals
Tossing a few lemon peels into the garbage disposal might freshen the scent for a while, but the citric acid and fibrous nature of the peels can cause wear and tear on the blades used to break food down. A better way to deodorize the garbage disposal is by tossing a handful of ice cubes washes away fat and other debris without breaking the blades. Baking soda and white 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 cutting edges to break pieces of food down—they use grinders to pulverize food. Ice cubes can help freshen the disposal by breaking up buildup, so go ahead and grind up a handful every so often. Just don’t wait for them to sharpen anything.
Myth 6: Water Heaters Are Maintenance-Free Appliances
Water heaters require routine maintenance to run as efficiently as possible. Over time, sediment can collect, reducing efficiency and shortening your water heater’s total service life. Flushing the tank and checking the anode once a year are the most beneficial steps to keep your water heater in working order.
Myth 7: Many Leaks Are Fixed by Tightening the Faucet
A leaking faucet often indicates a worn-out seal or valve, not a handle that’s come loose. Over-tightening could strip the threads and exacerbate the problem. Instead of cranking the handle down as far as possible, contact a plumber to fix the main issue.
Myth 8: Every Plumber Offers the Same Service
Plumbing services can vary significantly in quality. Certification, work experience and reviews can make a big difference in the quality of your plumbing job. Choosing an untrained plumber without the proper experience can end up costing you more over time.
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 result in leaks, water damage and the high repair costs that come with them. Save yourself the hassle by calling a professional plumber for installing fixtures.
Myth 10: You’ll Know When You Have a Plumbing Problem
More insidious plumbing problems are sometimes hard to spot until they start causing real trouble. A seemingly small leak might not be very obvious until it’s resulted in extensive structural damage. Regular plumbing inspections are a good way to identify growing problems earlier to help them from turning into major headaches.
Contact a Plumber for More Help
At Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing, we offer high-quality services for all your plumbing problems. Our trained and certified plumbers have the skills to keep everything working smoothly, from your toilet and sewer lines to the water heater and garbage disposal. If you are not completely happy with our work, you can count on us to fix it. Contact us today for reliable plumbing services at fair, honest prices.
