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 worse. You might be harming different plumbing fixtures, pipes or plumbing appliances and not even know it! Let’s clear up the confusion on these 10 plumbing misconceptions to stop unnecessary problems from cropping up.
Myth 1: You Can Use Toilets as Trash Cans
It might look convenient to flush face tissues, paper towels, cotton, sanitary items and other ‘seemingly’ flushable items down the toilet drain, but that’s a bad decision. Toilets are only designed to handle organic waste and toilet tissue. Flushing other objects can result in clogs and pricey repairs, so stick to the trash can for non-flushable things to avoid any issues.
Myth 2: It’s Safe to Use Flushable Wipes
Even with what the label claims, flushable wipes aren’t actually all that safe for your plumbing. These wipes won’t break down like toilet tissue and can clog your sewer pipe. Even if they can make it through your plumbing system, flushable wipes build up in the wider municipal sewer system, worsening headaches for sanitation workers. Taxpayer dollars could be saved on sewer cleanup efforts each year if everyone disposed of flushable wipes in the trash.
Myth 3: You Can Put Anything in the Garbage Disposal
A large number of people think their garbage disposal can break down everything, but that’s not the case. Food waste like gristle, coffee grinds and eggshells can clog the disposal or obstruct your drainage. Fat is particularly well known for obstructing plumbing. No matter how much you try and clear out the pipes with warm water, the oil still solidifies and causes clogs. Pour hot grease into a sealable jar and toss it out once it cools.
Myth 4: You Can Clean Your Garbage Disposals with Lemon Peels
Throwing lemon peels in your garbage disposal may freshen the scent for a while, but the acid content and fiber content of the peels can damage the blades used to break food down. A safer way to deodorize the garbage disposal is by tossing a handful of ice into your grease and other buildup without damaging the blades. Baking soda and vinegar is another safe, thorough option for cleaning the disposal.
Myth 5: Ice Cubes Sharpen Garbage Disposal Blades
First of all, garbage disposals don’t actually use sharp cutting edges to break up food waste—they use duller metal to break down food. Ice cubes could help clean the disposal by breaking up buildup, so feel free to crush a handful occasionally. Just don’t expect them to make the disposal sharper.
Myth 6: You Don’t Need to Maintain New Water Heaters
Water heaters require routine maintenance to operate as efficiently as possible. Over time, sediment can collect, lowering performance and reducing your water heater’s max life span. Flushing the tank and examining the anode once yearly are the most helpful steps to keep the water heater in better working condition.
Myth 7: You Can Fix Leaky Faucets by Tightening Them
A leaking faucet often starts with a broken gasket or valve, not a handle that’s come loose. Over-tightening could wear out the threads and worsen the drip. Rather than cranking the handle down further, call a plumber to repair the underlying problem.
Myth 8: All Plumbers Are the Same
Not all plumbers are created equal. Credentials, a work background and reviews can make a big difference in the success of your plumbing service. Opting for a cheap plumber without the appropriate experience might end up costing you more time in the long run.
Myth 9: It’s Easy to Install Plumbing Fixtures Yourself
Installing plumbing fixtures is more in-depth than just hooking a few things up. Plumbing systems are still somewhat complicated, and improper placement can cause leaks, flooding and the expensive fixes that come with them. Save yourself the hassle by hiring a professional plumber for installing fixtures.
Myth 10: You’ll Know When You Have a Plumbing Problem
Some plumbing problems can be hard to notice until they cause serious damage. A seemingly slight leak might not be noticeable until it’s created significant water damage. Professional plumbing inspections help identify growing problems early and stop them from turning into major headaches.
Reach Out to a Plumber for Help
At Rob's Albertan Service Experts, we deliver professional solutions for all your plumbing needs. Our trained and certified plumbers have the expertise to keep everything running smoothly, from your bathroom fixtures and sewer lines to the water heater and garbage disposal. If you’re not completely happy with our work, you can rely on us to make it right. Contact us today for dependable plumbing services at a fair rate.
