Let’s Dispel 10 Plumbing Misconceptions

Issues with your home’s plumbing can be a real hassle, but being tricked by popular misconceptions makes them even more frustrating to try and resolve. You might be harming your faucets, drains or even major fixtures and not even know it! Let’s get the facts right on 10 stubborn plumbing myths to stop avoidable problems from happening.

Myth 1: Toilets Are Suitable Trash Cans 

It may look easy to flush tissues, napkins, cotton balls, sanitary items and other ‘seemingly’ flushable things down the drain, but that’s a bad decision. Toilets are only made to handle organic waste and toilet tissue. Flushing other objects can result in blockages and costly repairs, so use the trash can for unflushable items to avoid problems.

Myth 2: Flushable Wipes Are Okay to Use

Despite what the packaging says, flushable wipes aren’t safe for your pipes and drainage. These wipes can’t break down like toilet tissue and can obstruct your sewer pipe. Even if they make it past your house’s plumbing, flushable wipes accumulate in the wider sewer system, causing headaches for sanitation workers. Your tax dollars could be saved on sewer cleanup efforts each year if everyone threw away flushable wipes properly.

Myth 3: You Can Put Anything in the Garbage Disposal

A large number of people think their garbage disposal can handle anything, but that’s not true. Items like chicken bones, used coffee grounds and eggshells can ruin the disposal or obstruct your pipes. Oil is especially well known for clogging drains. No matter how much you flush the sink with boiling water, the fat eventually hardens and causes clogs. Pour oil into a container and dispose of it once it solidifies. 

Myth 4: Lemon Peels Clean Garbage Disposals 

Tossing a few lemon peels into the garbage disposal could give it a fresh scent for a while, but the acidity and texture of the fibers of the peels can wear out the blades used to break food down. The best way to clean your disposal is by sending a handful of ice cubes into your grease and other debris without breaking the blades. Baking soda and white vinegar is another safe, thorough cleaning solution. 

Myth 5: You Can Sharpen Disposal Blades with Ice 

First of all, garbage disposals don’t actually use sharp spinning blades to break pieces of food down—they use duller metal to break down food. Ice cubes may help freshen the disposal by knocking off debris, so feel free to break down a handful every so often. Just don’t wait for them to sharpen anything. 

Myth 6: Newly Installed Water Heaters Don’t Require Maintenance 

Water heaters should be given a regular schedule of professional maintenance to run as efficiently as possible. After enough time, residue can accumulate, lowering performance and reducing your water heater’s life span. Cleaning out the tank and inspecting the water heater’s anode rod annually are the most beneficial steps to keep the water heater in better working condition. 

Myth 7: Many Leaks Are Fixed by Tightening the Faucet 

A leaking faucet generally suggests a broken gasket or cartridge, not a loose handle. Over-tightening may wear out the threads and worsen the drip. Instead of just tightening the handle down as far as possible, call a plumber to repair the root cause. 

Myth 8: All Plumbers Are the Same

Plumbing services can vary significantly in quality. Licensing, experience and word of mouth can make a big difference in the quality of your plumbing job. Selecting an untrained plumber without the right experience can 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 in-depth than just tightening screws. Plumbing systems are complex, and improper placement can cause leaks, water damage and the high repair costs that come with them. Minimize the risk of trouble by calling a professional plumber for installation projects.

Myth 10: Problems Are Easy to Notice

Some plumbing problems are sometimes difficult to detect until they start causing real trouble. A seemingly minor leak might not be noticeable until it’s created extensive structural damage. Professional plumbing inspections are a good way to spot growing problems earlier to stop them from becoming major headaches.

Contact a Plumber for More Help

At Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing, we provide Expert assistance for all your plumbing concerns. Our plumbing technicians have the expertise to keep everything running smoothly, from your toilet and sewer lines to your water heater and garbage disposal. If you’re not totally happy with our work, you can count on us to resolve the issue. Contact us today for affordable plumbing services at a fair rate.