10  Common Plumbing Myths You Should Not Believe In

It’s not a bad idea to do some plumbing work yourself, but there are jobs that you should leave to the professionals. Also, while there are plumbing problems that can be easily resolved with basic plumbing skills, some people find it difficult to do so because of concerns about certain plumbing myths.

Many of these myths may have been true in the past, but modern technology has changed the way plumbing works nowadays. Below are some common myths about plumbing that you should not believe in anymore.

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   Lemons are effective in cleaning garbage disposals.

Placing a lemon in the garbage disposal to keep it fresh in clean is a common piece of advice grandparents and parents often give. This is not true, according to expert plumbers in Denver. While the citric acid from lemons does give your garbage disposal a pleasant scent, it doesn’t clean the unit. Lemons can actually make the garbage disposal blades dull and more prone to corrosion and breakage. To clean this kitchen appliance, switch it off, unplug its power source, and use soap and warm water to scrub away any grime found inside.

2. Liquid drain cleaners are the safest cleaning products.

This is one of the most common but dangerous plumbing myths. Liquid drain cleaners contain abrasive chemicals than can damage your pipes and lead to leaks, higher water bills, and even water damage. A better alternative to clean your drains is to use an auger or drain snake.

3. Leakage and faucets always go together.

Leaking faucets are not normal and you should not ignore them because they can lead to water damage, adding hundreds of dollars to your annual utility bill.

4. Use hot water to melt grease.

This plumbing myth is only partially true. While hot water can break grease up and wash it down the drains, the liquefied fat will solidify as it reaches the cold pipes, severely blocking your drains that even plumbing snakes that are normally used by professional plumbing companies will have difficulty reaching.

5. “Flushable items” are safe to flush because they say so.

Contrary to what many manufacturers claim, the so-called flushable wipes don’t break down and pass through the pipes in the same way as toilet paper. These are non-biodegradable materials like sanitary napkins that accumulate in your pipes and cause clogs. They should not be flushed down the toilet.

6. If water is draining or moving, it means there are no clogs.

The first sign of any plumbing problem is often found in the drains. This may not be visible right away, but once you notice that water moves slowly when going down the drainage, it’s a sign that a clog is forming somewhere. Obviously, you have to work on finding and removing the clogs to help prevent more serious problems from happening.

7. Any leakage can be stopped by tightening the faucet handles.

One common plumbing myth homeowners believe is that turning the faucet handle tightly can stop leaks. On the contrary, doing so can cause more damage to your faucet and dislocate it completely.

8. A loud sound from the water heater is a sign that it’s set to explode.

There are many ways to tell if your water heater is on the verge of exploding. However, a loud rumbling sound from the unit is not one of them. On the other hand, a gurgling sound is usually a sign that there is too much sediment in the tank. This creates steam bubbles that rise through the tank and produce gurgles. This can prove to be problematic and should be addressed immediately before it leads to water heater failure.

9. Putting a brick in your toilet tank will save you money.

For unexplained reasons, people believe that adding a brick to their toilet tank will help them save money. Doing this can actually prevent your toilet from functioning properly.  Bricks can deteriorate over time and its particles can cause the toilet parts to crack.

10. Running water pushes any item down the garbage disposal.

Without proper care, the garbage disposal could fall apart, so you should not push things down the drain using running water. These include banana peels, seeds, egg and eggshells, rice bones, peanuts, grease, coffee grounds, and potato peels. Disposal drains are not designed to handle all types of food particles, so any item that is too large should not go down the unit.

Key Takeaway

Advancements in the plumbing industry have led to more efficient plumbing systems, but some myths continue to persist. These are old beliefs that should no longer be taken seriously because they are simply not true. Unfortunately, some people still believe in them, and this can be a problem, especially when it involves repairs that should ideally be handled only by skilled plumbers to ensure that a lasting solution is effected.