Let’s Uncover These 10 Common Plumbing Myths

Issues with your home’s plumbing can be a real headache, but falling for popular misconceptions can make them even more problematic. You might be harming your faucets, pipes or appliances and not even be aware of it! Let’s get the facts right on these 10 plumbing misconceptions to stop unnecessary damage from cropping up.

Myth 1: Toilets Are Suitable Trash Cans 

It may look handy to flush face tissues, paper towels, cotton balls, sanitary items and other ‘seemingly’ flushable items down the toilet, but that’s a bad idea. Toilets are only built to handle organic waste and toilet paper. Flushing other items can lead to plumbing issues and expensive repair work, so use the trash can for non-disposable objects to avoid trouble.

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 disintegrate like toilet tissue and can clog your sewer pipe. Even if they make it past your house’s plumbing, flushable wipes continue to collect in the larger sewer system, worsening headaches for waste management. Thousands of tax dollars could be saved on sewer cleanup costs each year if everyone threw away flushable wipes in the trash.

Myth 3: The Garbage Disposal Can “Dispose All”

Many people think their garbage disposal can break down it all, but that’s not true. Items like animal bones, coffee grinds and shells of an egg can damage the disposal or obstruct your drainage. Grease is particularly infamous for blocking plumbing. No matter how much you rinse the drain with hot water, the oil eventually hardens and causes clogs. Pour hot grease into a sealable jar and toss it out once it solidifies. 

Myth 4: Using Lemon Peels to Clean Garbage Disposals 

Throwing lemon peels in your garbage disposal could make it smell better temporarily, but the citric acid and fiber content of the peels can damage the blades. A better way to clean your disposal is by tossing a handful of ice cleans out grease and other gunk without damaging 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 cutting edges to break food down—they use grinders to pulverize food. Ice cubes could help clean the disposal by breaking up buildup, so go ahead and break down a handful every so often. Just don’t wait for them to sharpen the blades. 

Myth 6: You Don’t Need to Maintain New Water Heaters 

Water heaters need regular maintenance to run as efficiently as possible. Over time, residue can collect inside, reducing efficiency and shortening your water heater’s life span. Cleaning out the tank and examining the water heater’s anode rod annually are the most beneficial steps to keep that water heater in good shape. 

Myth 7: You Can Fix Leaky Faucets by Tightening Them 

A leaking faucet often suggests a worn-out gasket or cartridge, not a loose handle. Over-tightening can strip the threads and worsen the problem. Instead of just cranking the handle down as far as possible, contact a plumber to repair the underlying problem. 

Myth 8: Every Plumber Offers the Same Service

Plumbing services can vary significantly in quality. Certification, work experience and reputation can make a big difference in the success of your plumbing job. Opting for a low-cost plumber without the proper background might end up costing you more time in the long run.

Myth 9: Anyone Can Install Their Own Plumbing Fixtures

Putting in plumbing fixtures is more in-depth than just screwing on parts. Plumbing systems are complex, and improper placement can lead to leaks, flooding and the expensive fixes that come with them. Avoid the headache by calling a professional plumber for installing fixtures.

Myth 10: Plumbing Problems Always Announce Themselves

More insidious plumbing problems might be hard to notice until they escalate. A seemingly small leak might not make itself known until it’s caused significant structural damage. Routine plumbing inspections help catch growing problems early and help them from becoming an expensive disaster.

Reach Out to a Plumber for Help

At Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing, we offer high-quality services for all your plumbing problems. Our professionals have the expertise to keep everything flowing smoothly, from your fixtures and sewer lines to your water heater and garbage disposal. If you are not entirely happy with our work, you can rely on us to make it right. Contact us today for affordable plumbing services at fair, honest prices.