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It can be easy to think that you have everything figured out when it comes to your plumbing system. While that might be true to some extent, it might surprise you that some of the things that you think you know are actually myths. The truth is that plumbing is surrounded by misconceptions that have been floated around for ages and continue to be perpetuated by people who think that they can be plumbers. So, before you complicate a simple plumbing issue further or mess up the entire system, take your time to find the truth behind the claims that you hear. In this regard, here are 10 plumbing myths that you should know.
1. Melt Grease with Hot Water to Prevent Clogs
It is a proven truth that hot water melts the grease. What is not true is that it helps prevent clogs. On the contrary, washing grease down the drain can be a major cause of clogs. When the melted grease gets to the pipes, it cools, re-solidifies, and then sticks to the pipes. Do that continually and eventually, you have a buildup of grease that is even harder to get rid of. What’s worse is that the grease becomes a magnet for dirt, such as hair, dust, and crumbs, which clogs the pipes.
2. Bleach Tablets Are Safe for Toilet Cleaning
Well, bleach is a common cleaning agent that is known for effective cleaning on surfaces, including the toilet. However, using bleach tablets for your toilet will make you happy for a short while. A few more uses and you have a major problem to fix. The issue with bleach is that it damages the toilet bowl and corrodes other parts of the toilet if it is left to sit for more than 10 minutes. Be wary of using bleach on your toilet, lest you are left with a corroded toilet to replace.
3. If It Is Labeled Flushable Then It Is Okay to Flush It
Flushable labels on packages are a big enticement for most people. However, once you flush them down the toilet, you are causing more harm than good to your pipes. While flushable wipes can actually be flushed, the truth is that they don’t biodegrade as quickly as toilet paper. They end up accumulating in the pipes and eventually causing the pipes to clog. When it comes to flushing anything down the toilet, stick to just human waste and toilet paper. Anything beyond that is a ticking bomb for your pipes.
4. If You Want to Save Water, Place a Brick in the Toilet Bowl
With the rising utility costs, any idea to save a coin is always welcome. However, don’t fall for the idea of placing a brick in the back of the toilet bowl, as it is a big scam. If anything, all you will achieve is a broken flapper. Consequently, you will be forced to flash more than once to clear everything. At the end of the day, you end up using more water rather than saving. If you want your toilet to perform better in terms of saving water, consider replacing it with a more powerful model.
5. There Is Nothing to Worry about If Your Sink and Shower are Draining
Your drains are often the first to show that there might be an underlying issue with the plumbing system. However, with the daily commitments, it can be easy not to notice when they start draining slowly. Sure, you have nothing to worry about if they are draining well. But, make sure that you pay attention to the rate of draining. If it starts slowing down, that’s the best time to call a plumber from team emergency plumber website before the issue escalates.
6. Lemons Are Perfect for Cleaning Your Garbage Disposal
Lemons have been known to be a cleaning remedy at home for generations. You have probably heard that putting a lemon in your garbage disposal is a natural way of cleaning it out. Unfortunately, the lemon doesn’t clean anything in the garbage disposal. Yes, it adds a nice smell to it, but that’s just it. What’s more, it can easily break or dull the blades of your garbage disposal. When you need to clean your garbage disposal, turn the power off, take some warm water, brush, and soap, and scrub the grime off gently.
7. You Can Get Anything Down Your Garbage Disposal as Long as You Are Running Water
Still, on the garbage proposal, don’t let anyone fool you that you can pour anything in there as long as you have the water running simultaneously. The garbage disposal should only be reserved for food items. Even then, thicker and heavier food articles, such as bones, eggshells, and coffee grounds, should be avoided to avoid breaking the blades.
8. A Leaky Faucet Shouldn’t Cause You Sleepless Nights
It can be easy to ignore a faucet that is leaking. After all, how much water can a single drop per second cost you? Well, the truth is that just a single drop per second from a leaky faucet can raise your water bill significantly. If you are keen on saving money on your utility bills, a leaky faucet, however small the problem seems, should get you worrying. Calling a plumber will save you more money than the dripping tap could possibly add to your bill.
9. Clogs Clear with Drain Cleaners only
Indeed, drain cleaners work well in unclogging the pipes. What you should be wary of are the harsh chemicals in these cleaners. The chemicals used to make drain cleaners are harsh for your pipes, and they end up corroding them. Eventually, you are left with an even bigger problem to handle. Fortunately, these drain cleaners aren’t the only solution to clogged drains. Just give your plumber a call, and your drains will be unclogged safely. Besides, today you can find great power-flush toilet designs that provide clog-free flushing experiences.
10. Simple Plumbing Issues Are Just Some Simple DIY Tasks
Truth is that there are handy people out there who can handle some plumbing issues with the right tools and some skills. However, if you are unsure about an issue, it is better to leave it to the experts. That issue that seems like something you can handle might turn out to be complicated, and you might end up magnifying it rather than solving it.
