Let’s Dispel 10 Plumbing Misconceptions
Plumbing problems can be a real nuisance, but being tricked by popular misconceptions often makes them even worse. You may be harming different plumbing fixtures, drains or even major fixtures and not even be aware of it! Let’s set the record straight on 10 common plumbing myths to stop preventable problems from occurring.
Myth 1: Toilets Make Great Garbage Cans
It may look easy to flush face tissues, napkins, cotton, sanitary items and other ‘seemingly’ flushable things down the toilet drain, but that’s a bad idea. Toilets are only designed to handle organic waste and toilet paper. Flushing other objects can result in blockages and pricey repairs, so opt for the trash can for non-flushable things to avoid any issues.
Myth 2: Flushable Wipes Are Okay to Use
Even with what the box provinces, flushable wipes aren’t actually all that safe for your plumbing. These wipes don’t disintegrate like toilet paper and can obstruct your sewer pipe. Even if they get through your plumbing system, flushable wipes continue to collect in the larger municipal sewer system, worsening headaches for waste management. Your tax dollars might be saved on sewer cleanup costs each year if everyone disposed of flushable wipes in the trash.
Myth 3: Garbage Disposals Can Handle Anything
A large number of people assume the kitchen garbage disposal can break down it all, but that’s not correct. Food waste like chicken bones, used coffee grounds and shells of an egg can ruin the disposal or obstruct your drainage. Grease is especially infamous for clogging pipes. No matter how much you rinse the pipes with warm water, the fat eventually solidifies and causes clogs. Pour hot grease into a container and toss it out once it solidifies.
Myth 4: Using Lemon Peels to Clean Garbage Disposals
Putting lemon peels in your garbage disposal could freshen the scent for a while, but the citric acid and texture of the fibers of the peels can damage the blades. A safer way to clean the garbage disposal is by putting a handful of ice cubes in the disposal’s drain, which helps remove fat and other debris without harming the blades. Common household items like baking soda and vinegar is another safer, more thorough cleaning option.
Myth 5: Sharpening Disposal Blades with Ice Cubes
First of all, garbage disposals don’t actually use sharp cutting edges to break up food waste—they use grinding tools to smash food into smaller pieces. Ice cubes may help freshen the disposal by breaking up buildup, so feel free to break down a handful every so often. Just don’t count on them to sharpen anything.
Myth 6: Water Heaters Are Maintenance-Free Appliances
Water heaters require a regular schedule of professional maintenance to run as efficiently as possible. Over time, residue can collect inside, lowering performance and shortening your water heater’s life span. Cleaning out the tank and examining the anode annually are the most beneficial steps to keep that water heater in good shape.
Myth 7: If a Faucet Leaks, Try Closing It Tighter
A leaking faucet generally suggests a broken gasket or mechanism, not a loose handle. Over-tightening could damage the threads and worsen the problem. Instead of just muscling the handle down further, contact a plumber to address the main issue.
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. Credentials, work experience and word of mouth can make a big difference in the success of your plumbing service. Selecting an untrained plumber without the right background could end up costing you more in the long run.
Myth 9: You Can Always Handle Your Own Plumbing Fixture Installation
Installing plumbing fixtures involves more than hooking a few things up. Systems for residential plumbing are still somewhat complicated, and improper setup can result in leaks, water damage and the expensive fixes that come with them. Save yourself the hassle by hiring a professional plumber for installing fixtures.
Myth 10: Plumbing Problems Always Announce Themselves
More insidious plumbing problems can be difficult to detect until they escalate. A seemingly small leak might not be very obvious until it’s resulted in significant water damage. Professional plumbing inspections are a good way to catch unseen problems earlier to stop them from escalating into major headaches.
Contact a Plumber for More Help
At Bryant Heating & Cooling Service Experts, we provide Expert assistance for all your plumbing problems. Our professionals have the skills to keep everything moving smoothly, from your bathroom fixtures and sewer lines to the water heater and garbage disposal. If you are not entirely happy with our work, you can rely on us to resolve the issue. Contact us today for affordable plumbing services at fair, honest prices.
