Do you have some weird plumbing problems? We know what that’s like. At Stephens Plumbing, we’ve been there and done that. We’ve come across all types of plumbing issues that have made us experts with experience. From that experience, we’ve found that these eight myths are the most common, and we want to share them with you and hopefully avoid any potential plumbing problems.
8 Common Plumbing Myths We’ve Been Told
Growing up you may have been told by your parents tips and tricks in home ownership that would save you money and protect your home. Although filled with good intentions, many of our plumbing repair and replacement services are due to homeowners holding these common beliefs.
Flushable wipes are flushable.
Many companies will market their products, especially toilet wipes, to be safe to flush down the toilet, but that is not true. Despite the labels, “flushable” wipes do not dissolve like toilet paper which can lead to clogged drains and damage to your pipes.
All drain cleaning products are safe for pipes.
Drain cleaning products are not always safe to use. Using drain cleaning products like Drano may sometimes work in the short term, but it could also cause costly long-term damage. The chemicals used in these products erode your pipes and are very toxic should you accidentally get some on yourself.
Putting a brick in your toilet tank to save money.
As a new young homeowner, you may have been told that you should put a brick in your toilet tank to save money. The belief is that since the brick takes up water capacity in the tank, you use less water each flush. However, the brick will decay and break apart over time which could do costly damage without you knowing.
Lemons clean your garbage disposal.
This is a very common myth. Many have been told by their mothers who were told by their mothers that using lemons or lemon peels in your garbage disposal cleans it. This is unfortunately not true. Lemons are bulky and don't shred as easily as we may believe, leaving the lemon carcass in the bottom of your sink to rot and smell. The best way to clean your garbage disposal is to use a brush, soap, and warm water.
A small leak is okay.
Finding a small leak in your home is an inconvenient feeling and it’s natural to shy away from thinking a little leak is anything to worry about. When your faucet drips after tightening the tap, it may not look like it but that drip can cost you a lot of money.
A plunger resolves all clogged toilet problems.
If you are using a plunger consistently on your toilet, it may not fix the problem at hand. Sometimes a clogged toilet could indicate a bigger plumbing problem, and the plunger is acting as a band-aide.
You should always tighten a faucet as tight as you can.
Tightening a faucet too hard or too tight can cause leaks to happen faster and damage the taps of your plumbing essentials, including the taps in your sink, bath, and garden hose.
Ice cubes can sharpen your garbage disposal blades.
Similar to using lemons, ice cubes are not recommended to put in your garbage disposal to either clean it or sharpen the blades inside.
Contact Stephens Plumbing For Your Weird Plumbing Needs
If you’ve read through our ten myths and thought, “I’ve done that!”, no worries, you’re not alone. The licensed plumbers at Stephens Plumbing are ready to diagnose any plumbing issue and perform the necessary repairs. We provide comprehensive, 24/7 plumbing services, including water pipe installation, repair, and replacement.
Contact us to schedule an appointment today.