Let’s Uncover These 10 Common Plumbing Myths
Issues with your home’s plumbing can be a real hassle, but falling for common misconceptions often makes them even worse. You may be harming different plumbing fixtures, drains or plumbing appliances and not even be aware of it! Let’s set the record straight on 10 stubborn plumbing myths to stop avoidable damage from occurring.
Myth 1: It’s Okay to Throw Trash Away in the Toilet
It might seem easy to flush tissues, napkins, cotton, sanitary items and other ‘seemingly’ flushable objects down the toilet, but that’s a bad idea. Toilets are only designed to handle organic waste and toilet tissue. Flushing other objects can lead to plumbing issues and expensive repair work, so opt for the trash can for unflushable objects to avoid any issues.
Myth 2: Flushable Wipes Are Okay to Use
In spite of what the label claims, flushable wipes are not safe for your pipes. These wipes can’t disintegrate like toilet tissue and can block up your sewer pipe. Even if they get through your house’s plumbing, flushable wipes continue to collect in the larger municipal sewer system, causing problems for utility workers. Your tax dollars can be saved on sewer cleanup projects each year if everyone disposed of flushable wipes properly.
Myth 3: You Can Put Anything in the Garbage Disposal
A large number of people believe the kitchen garbage disposal can break down everything, but that’s not true. Things like gristle, coffee grinds and shells of an egg can damage the disposal or block your plumbing. Oil is particularly notorious for blocking drains. No matter how much you flush the drain with boiling water, the fat gradually congeals and causes clogs. Pour oil into a hard container and throw it away once it cools.
Myth 4: You Can Clean Your Garbage Disposals with Lemon Peels
Putting lemon peels into the garbage disposal might give it a fresh scent temporarily, but the citric acid and fibrous nature of the peels can cause wear and tear on the disposal’s spinning blades. A safer way to deodorize the garbage disposal is by sending a handful of ice cubes in the disposal’s drain, which {helps remove fat and other gunk without harming the blades. Sodium bicarbonate 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 blades to break food down—they use grinding tools to smash food into smaller pieces. Ice cubes may help clean the disposal by removing debris, so feel free to crush a handful now and then. Just don’t count on them to make the disposal sharper.
Myth 6: Newly Installed Water Heaters Don’t Require Maintenance
Water heaters should be given a regular schedule of professional maintenance to run as efficiently as possible. Over time, sediment can collect, lowering performance and shortening your water heater’s life span. Flushing the tank and checking the anode once yearly are the most useful steps to keep the water heater in better working condition.
Myth 7: If a Faucet Leaks, Try Closing It Tighter
A leaking faucet often indicates a broken washer or cartridge, not a handle that’s come loose. Over-tightening could wear out the threads and exacerbate the drip. Instead of tightening the handle down as far as possible, call a plumber to repair the main issue.
Myth 8: All Plumbing Services Are the Same
Not all plumbers are created equal. Certification, a work background and reviews can make a big difference in the success of your plumbing service. Selecting a cheap plumber without the appropriate background might end up costing you more over time.
Myth 9: DIY Plumbing Fixture Installation Is a Breeze
Installing plumbing fixtures involves more than screwing on parts. Plumbing systems are still somewhat complicated, and improper installation can result in leaks, flooding and the expensive fixes that come with them. Save yourself the hassle by calling a professional plumber for fixture installation.
Myth 10: Plumbing Issues Are Always Obvious
More insidious plumbing problems might be hard to notice until they start causing real trouble. A seemingly minor leak might not be very obvious until it’s created widespread water damage. Routine plumbing inspections are a good way to catch unseen problems early and stop them from becoming an expensive disaster.
Contact a Plumber for More Help
At A1 Chesney Service Experts, we offer Expert services for all your plumbing concerns. Our professionals have the skills to keep everything moving smoothly, from your bathroom fixtures and sewer lines to your water heater and garbage disposal. If you are not totally happy with our work, you can count on us to make it right. Contact us today for dependable plumbing services at fair, honest prices.
