Let’s Debunk These 10 Common Plumbing Myths

Issues with your home’s plumbing can be a real hassle, but falling for popular misconceptions often makes them even more frustrating to try and resolve. You might be harming different plumbing fixtures, 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 cropping up.

Myth 1: Toilets Are Suitable Trash Cans 

It may look convenient to flush tissues, paper towels, cotton, hygiene products and other ‘seemingly’ flushable things down the drain, but this is a bad decision. Toilets are only made to handle human waste and bathroom tissue. Flushing other items can lead to clogs and costly repair work, so use the trash can for non-flushable items to avoid problems.

Myth 2: Flushable Wipes Are Okay to Use

In spite of what the packaging says, flushable wipes aren’t actually all that safe for your pipes and drainage. These wipes won’t decompose like toilet paper and can block up your sewer pipe. Even if they get through your plumbing system, flushable wipes accumulate in the wider sewage system, causing problems for utility workers. Your tax dollars can be saved on sewer cleanup costs each year if everyone disposed of flushable wipes properly.

Myth 3: Garbage Disposals Can Handle Anything

Lots of people think their garbage disposal can break down anything, but that’s not true. Food waste like animal bones, used coffee grounds and eggshells can ruin the disposal or form another clog in your pipes. Grease is especially well known for blocking drains. No matter how much you flush the pipes with boiling water, the oil eventually congeals and causes plumbing issues. Pour fat into a sealable jar and toss it out once it solidifies. 

Myth 4: Lemon Peels Clean Garbage Disposals 

Putting lemon peels in your garbage disposal might give it a fresh scent for a while, but the acidity and texture of the fibers of the peels can damage the blades used to break food down. A safer way to clean your disposal is by sending a handful of ice down the grease and other gunk without breaking the blades. Baking soda and white vinegar is another safer, more thorough cleaning solution. 

Myth 5: Sharpening Disposal Blades with Ice Cubes 

First of all, garbage disposals don’t actually use sharp spinning blades to break up food waste—they use grinding tools to pulverize food. Ice cubes can help freshen the disposal by breaking up buildup, so feel free to break down a handful occasionally. Just don’t wait for them to sharpen the blades. 

Myth 6: Water Heaters Are Maintenance-Free Appliances 

Water heaters need routine maintenance to work as efficiently as possible. Over time, buildup can collect, lowering performance and potentially limiting your water heater’s total service life. Draining the tank and inspecting the water heater’s anode rod once a year are the most helpful steps to keep that water heater in better working condition. 

Myth 7: If a Faucet Leaks, Try Closing It Tighter 

A leaking faucet usually indicates a damaged seal or valve, not a loose fitting. Over-tightening may damage the threads and exacerbate the problem. Instead of tightening the handle down further, contact a plumber to fix the main issue. 

Myth 8: All Plumbing Services Are the Same

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 service. Opting for a low-cost plumber without the right credentials could end up costing you more in the long run.

Myth 9: Anyone Can Install Their Own Plumbing Fixtures

Installing plumbing fixtures is more than just hooking a few things up. Plumbing systems are intricate, and improper placement can result in leaks, water damage and the high repair costs that come with them. Avoid the headache by calling a professional plumber for installation projects.

Myth 10: You’ll Know When You Have a Plumbing Problem

A few plumbing problems are sometimes difficult to detect until they escalate. A seemingly slight leak might not be noticeable until it’s caused extensive structural damage. Routine plumbing inspections can help identify hidden problems earlier to help them from turning into major headaches.

Reach Out to a Plumber for Help

At Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing, we offer professional solutions for all your plumbing concerns. Our professionals have the expertise to keep everything running smoothly, from your toilet 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 fix it. Contact us today for dependable plumbing services at fair, honest prices.