Plumbing Myths: Debunking Common Plumbing Misconceptions
Issues with your home’s plumbing can be a real headache, but being tricked by popular misconceptions often makes them even more problematic. You may be harming your faucets, pipes or plumbing appliances and not even know it! Let’s set the record straight on 10 stubborn plumbing myths to stop avoidable damage from causing trouble.
Myth #1: Problems Are Easy to Notice
More insidious plumbing problems can be hard to spot until they start causing real trouble. A seemingly minor leak might not be very obvious until it’s resulted in significant water damage. Professional plumbing inspections are a good way to catch hidden problems early and stop them from escalating into an enormous headache.
Myth #2: The Garbage Disposal Can “Dispose All”
Lots of people believe the kitchen garbage disposal can break down it all, but that’s not the case. Items like animal bones, used coffee grounds and eggshells can ruin the disposal or block your drainage. Fat is particularly infamous for clogging plumbing. No matter how much you flush the drain with boiling water, the fat still congeals and causes problems. Pour hot grease into a hard container and throw it away once it cools.
Myth #3: You Can Fix Leaky Faucets by Tightening Them
A leaking faucet usually suggests a broken washer or cartridge, not a loose handle. Over-tightening may damage the threads and worsen the drip. Instead of just tightening the handle down as far as possible, reach out to a plumber to address the root cause.
Myth #4: Flushable Wipes Won’t Harm Your Plumbing
In spite of what the label claims, flushable wipes aren’t safe for your plumbing. These wipes can’t break down like toilet tissue and can clog your sewer pipe. Even if they make it past your home’s plumbing, flushable wipes build up in the broader sewage system, leading to headaches for utility workers. Taxpayer dollars can be saved on sewer cleanup efforts each year if everyone threw away flushable wipes in the trash.
Myth #5: Water Heaters Are Maintenance-Free Appliances
Water heaters require regular maintenance to run at their best. Over time, residue can collect inside, lowering performance and potentially limiting your water heater’s max life span. Flushing the tank and checking the water heater’s anode rod once yearly are the most beneficial steps to keep your water heater in good shape.
Myth #6: You Can Use Toilets as Trash Cans
It might look easy to flush tissues, napkins, cotton balls, feminine hygiene products and other ‘seemingly’ flushable items down the toilet, but that’s a bad choice. Toilets are only designed to handle human waste and toilet tissue. Flushing other objects can result in clogs and pricey repair work, so opt for the trash can for unflushable things to avoid any issues.
Myth #7: You Can Clean Your Garbage Disposals with Lemon Peels
Throwing lemon peels into the garbage disposal may give it a fresh scent temporarily, but the acid content and fiber content of the peels can cause wear and tear on the blades used to break food down. A better way to deodorize the garbage disposal is by tossing a handful of ice down the, which cleans out grease and other debris without damaging the blades. Baking soda and white vinegar is another safer, more thorough cleaning option.
Myth #8: You Can Sharpen Disposal Blades with Ice
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 could help clean the disposal by breaking up buildup, so feel free to break down a handful now and then. Just don’t expect them to sharpen the blades.
Myth #9: It’s Easy to Install Plumbing Fixtures Yourself
Putting in plumbing fixtures involves more than screwing on parts. Systems for residential plumbing are complex, and improper installation can lead to leaks, flooding and the costly repairs that come with them. Avoid the headache by calling a professional plumber for fixture installation.
Myth #10: All Plumbers Are the Same
Plumbing services can vary significantly in quality. Credentials, work experience and word of mouth can make a big difference in the quality of your plumbing job. Opting for an untrained plumber without the proper experience could end up costing you more time in the long run.
Contact Moon Valley Plumbing for the Best Local Plumbers
At Moon Valley Plumbing, we deliver professional solutions for all your plumbing concerns. Our professionals have the skills to keep everything flowing smoothly, from your bathroom fixtures and sewer lines to your water heater and garbage disposal. If you are 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.
