Debunking Plumbing Myths About 10 Common Misconceptions and Mistakes
Plumbing problems can be a real hassle, but falling for common misconceptions makes them even more frustrating to try and resolve. You could be harming your plumbing’s taps, pipes or even major fixtures and not even know it! Let’s clear up the confusion on these 10 plumbing misconceptions to stop avoidable damage from happening.
Myth #1: Plumbing Problems Always Announce Themselves
A few plumbing problems can be hard to spot until they start causing real trouble. A seemingly slight leak might not be very obvious until it’s caused widespread structural damage. Regular plumbing inspections are a good way to identify unseen problems earlier to prevent them from escalating into an expensive disaster.
Myth #2: You Can Put Anything in the Garbage Disposal
Many people assume the kitchen garbage disposal can break down everything, but that’s not the case. Items like gristle, coffee grinds and shells of an egg can clog the disposal or block your pipes. Fat is particularly infamous for clogging drains. No matter how much you flush the drain with boiling water, the grease gradually solidifies and causes problems. Pour hot grease into a container and dispose of it once it solidifies.
Myth #3: Many Leaks Are Fixed by Tightening the Faucet
A leaking faucet usually suggests a broken seal or cartridge, not a handle that’s come loose. Over-tightening could wear out the threads and exacerbate the problem. Rather than cranking the handle down further, call a plumber to fix the root cause.
Myth #4: Flushable Wipes Are Safe to Flush
In spite of what the box states, flushable wipes aren’t safe for your plumbing. These wipes can’t break down like toilet paper and can clog your sewer pipe. Even if they can make it through your home’s plumbing, flushable wipes accumulate in the larger sewage system, causing problems for waste management. Thousands of tax dollars might be saved on sewer cleanup projects each year if everyone threw away flushable wipes in the trash.
Myth #5: Water Heaters Are Maintenance-Free Appliances
Water heaters require a regular schedule of professional maintenance to operate as efficiently as possible. After enough time, buildup can collect inside, lowering performance and potentially limiting your water heater’s max life span. Cleaning out the tank and checking the anode once a year are the most useful steps to keep that water heater in better working condition.
Myth #6: You Can Use Toilets as Trash Cans
It might appear easy to flush facial tissues, napkins, cotton, sanitary items and other ‘seemingly’ flushable things down the toilet, but it’s a bad choice. Toilets are only designed to handle organic waste and toilet tissue. Flushing other items can result in plumbing issues and expensive repair work, so stick to the trash can for non-flushable objects to avoid problems.
Myth #7: You Can Clean Your Garbage Disposals with Lemon Peels
Tossing a few lemon peels in your garbage disposal might freshen the scent for a while, but the acidity and fibrous nature of the peels can cause wear and tear on the blades. A better way to freshen your disposal is by sending a handful of ice cubes into your, which helps remove oil and other buildup without damaging the blades. Sodium bicarbonate and vinegar is another safe, thorough cleaning solution.
Myth #8: Sharpening Disposal Blades with Ice Cubes
First of all, garbage disposals don’t actually use sharp blades to break pieces of food down—they use grinders to pulverize food. Ice cubes can help clean the disposal by breaking up buildup, so go ahead and crush a handful every so often. Just don’t expect them to sharpen anything.
Myth #9: It’s Easy to Install Plumbing Fixtures Yourself
Setting up plumbing fixtures is more than just tightening screws. Systems for residential plumbing are still somewhat complicated, and improper placement can cause leaks, water damage and the costly repairs that come with them. Avoid the headache by hiring a professional plumber for installing fixtures.
Myth #10: All Plumbing Services Are the Same
Even though they’re all plumbers, you can’t just pick anyone out of the phone book. Credentials, a work background and word of mouth can make a big difference in the success of your plumbing service. Choosing an untrained plumber without the right experience might end up costing you more over time.
Contact United Plumbing Company for Expert Support for Plumbing Services
At United Plumbing Company, we provide Expert assistance for all your plumbing problems. Our trained and certified plumbers have the skills to keep everything running smoothly, from your toilet and sewer lines to your water heater and garbage disposal. If you are not entirely happy with our work, we guarantee to make it right. Contact us today for affordable plumbing services at a fair rate.
