Many homeowners struggle to find reliable plumbing information online, and there’s a lot of misinformation floating around on the internet. By following this bad advice, you can end up in a worse situation that will increase your bill and delay your repair. In order to avoid potential plumbing pitfalls, here are some common plumbing myths debunked to save you energy and aggravation.
Hand soap cleans plumbing fixtures – FALSE
Your home has a wide variety of plumbing features, and there is an appropriate way to clean every fixture. For example, you should only be cleaning your toilet bowl with a good disinfectant that will sanitize the area properly while killing germs and preventing infections. Other fixtures are more delicate, like those made out of brass which should only be cleaned with a solution that provides gentle exfoliation such as baking soda.
I can put anything down my garbage disposal as long as the water is running – FALSE
Running water down the drain while using your garbage disposal does NOT magically prevent clogs. Frankly, there are many things that don’t belong in your garbage disposal, and no amount of water is going to change that. Foods that are likely to cause damage to your disposal include banana peels, eggshells, and other bulky foods that are difficult to breakdown.
If my disposal is still running, everything is fine – FALSE
You can have a clog in your drain even though food items are still going down it. If you think your disposal is running slower than usual, chances are very good that you may have a hidden blockage or a developing clog. You should stop running your disposal immediately and have the clog addressed before it causes serious damage.
A lemon rind will clean my disposal – FALSE
Your disposal won’t really be clean after devouring a lemon rind (although it may smell a bit better). You should only use a cleanser with a gentle brush to clean the unit after you make sure that it is disconnected from the power source. Always remember that safety is your first priority and to take extra care to ensure your disposal is handled carefully before, during, and after cleaning.
Keeping these helpful tips in mind will help you to avoid unnecessary home plumbing problems, and keep your plumbing know-how on the right track. If you have any questions about your plumbing contact one of our qualified experts today for assistance, and please feel free to leave any common plumbing myths you’ve experienced in the comments below.
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