Let’s Debunk 10 Plumbing Misconceptions
Issues with your home’s plumbing can be a real nuisance, but believing in common misconceptions can make them even more problematic. You could be harming your faucets, drains or appliances and not even be aware of it! Let’s set the record straight on 10 stubborn plumbing myths to stop unnecessary damage from cropping up.
Myth 1: You Can Use Toilets as Trash Cans
It might look handy to flush tissues, napkins, cotton pads, sanitary items and other ‘seemingly’ flushable items down the toilet, but this is a bad choice. Toilets are only designed to handle human waste and toilet paper. Flushing other objects can lead to blockages and expensive repairs, so use the trash can for unflushable things to avoid problems.
Myth 2: It’s Safe to Use Flushable Wipes
Despite what the label claims, flushable wipes are not safe for your plumbing. These wipes can’t decompose like bath tissue and can block up your sewer pipe. Even if they make it past your house’s plumbing, flushable wipes build up in the wider municipal sewer system, worsening headaches for sanitation workers. Taxpayer dollars can be saved on sewer cleanup costs each year if everyone disposed of flushable wipes in the trash.
Myth 3: The Garbage Disposal Can “Dispose All”
A large number of people think the kitchen garbage disposal can handle anything, but that’s not the case. Things like chicken bones, used coffee grounds and shells of an egg can ruin the disposal or form another clog in your plumbing. Grease is particularly well known for blocking plumbing. No matter how much you rinse the sink with hot water, the grease gradually hardens and causes problems. Pour fat into a sealable jar and dispose of it once it solidifies.
Myth 4: Lemon Peels Clean Garbage Disposals
Throwing lemon peels in your garbage disposal may give it a fresh scent for a while, but the acidity and texture of the fibers of the peels can cause wear and tear on the disposal’s spinning blades. A better way to clean your disposal is by tossing a handful of ice washes away grease and other buildup without breaking the blades. Baking soda and white vinegar is another safer, more thorough cleaning solution.
Myth 5: You Can Sharpen Disposal Blades with Ice
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 could help clean the disposal by removing debris, so feel free to break down a handful now and then. Just don’t wait for them to sharpen anything.
Myth 6: Water Heaters Are Maintenance-Free Appliances
Water heaters should be given a regular schedule of professional maintenance to operate at their best. After enough time, residue can accumulate, reducing efficiency and shortening your water heater’s total service life. Draining the tank and inspecting the anode once yearly are the most useful steps to keep your water heater in working order.
Myth 7: If a Faucet Leaks, Try Closing It Tighter
A leaking faucet usually indicates a worn-out washer or valve, not a handle that’s come loose. Over-tightening could wear out the threads and exacerbate the drip. Rather than muscling the handle down further, reach out to a plumber to fix the root cause.
Myth 8: Every Plumber Offers the Same Service
Even though they’re all plumbers, you can’t just pick anyone out of the phone book. Certification, a work background and word of mouth can make a big difference in the quality of your plumbing project. Opting for an untrained plumber without the right experience could end up costing you more in the long run.
Myth 9: You Can Always Handle Your Own Plumbing Fixture Installation
Setting up plumbing fixtures is more than just hooking a few things up. Systems for residential plumbing are complex, and improper setup can cause leaks, water damage and the high repair costs that come with them. Save yourself the hassle by contacting a professional plumber for fixture installation.
Myth 10: Problems Are Easy to Notice
More insidious plumbing problems can be difficult to detect until they cause serious damage. A seemingly minor leak might not make itself known until it’s caused widespread structural damage. Professional plumbing inspections help catch growing problems early and prevent them from becoming an expensive disaster.
Get Professional Plumbing Assistance
At Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing, we provide high-quality services for all your plumbing needs. Our professionals have the expertise to keep everything running smoothly, from your bathroom fixtures and sewer lines to your water heater and garbage disposal. If you are not completely happy with our work, you can rely on us to resolve the issue. Contact us today for reliable plumbing services at a fair rate.
