Plumbing Myths: Debunking Common Plumbing Misconceptions 

Issues with your home’s plumbing can be a real nuisance, but being tricked by common misconceptions can make them even more frustrating to try and resolve. You might be harming your plumbing’s taps, pipes or even major fixtures and not even know it! Let’s clear up the confusion on these 10 plumbing misconceptions to stop avoidable problems from cropping up. 

Myth #1: Problems Are Easy to Notice 

Some plumbing problems might be hard to spot until they start causing real trouble. A seemingly slight leak might not make itself known until it’s created extensive water damage. Regular plumbing inspections help spot hidden problems earlier to stop them from escalating into an expensive disaster. 

Myth #2: Garbage Disposals Can Handle Anything 

Lots of people think their garbage disposal can handle everything, but that’s not true. Food waste like animal bones, coffee grounds and eggshells can damage the disposal or form another clog in your drainage. Grease is especially infamous for blocking pipes. No matter how much you rinse the sink with warm water, the fat eventually solidifies and causes plumbing issues. Pour fat into a hard container and throw it away once it cools. 

Myth #3: You Can Fix Leaky Faucets by Tightening Them 

A leaking faucet often suggests a damaged gasket or mechanism, not a handle that’s come loose. Over-tightening could damage the threads and exacerbate the drip. Instead of just cranking the handle down further, reach out to a plumber to address the root cause. 

Myth #4: It’s Safe to Use Flushable Wipes 

Even with what the label claims, flushable wipes aren’t actually all that safe for your plumbing. These wipes can’t break down like bath tissue and can obstruct your sewer pipe. Even if they can make it through your house’s plumbing, flushable wipes build up in the broader sewer system, causing problems for utility workers. Taxpayer dollars could be saved on sewer cleanup costs each year if everyone threw away flushable wipes in the trash. 

Myth #5: You Don’t Need to Maintain New Water Heaters 

Water heaters require regular maintenance to run at their best. After enough time, sediment can collect, lowering performance and reducing your water heater’s life span. Draining the tank and examining the anode rod once yearly are the most helpful steps to keep your water heater in better working condition. 

Myth #6: Toilets Make Great Garbage Cans 

It may look easy to flush facial tissues, paper towels, cotton balls, feminine hygiene products and other ‘seemingly’ flushable objects down the toilet drain, but it’s a bad decision. Toilets are only designed to handle organic waste and toilet tissue. Flushing other objects can cause clogs and costly repairs, so use the trash can for non-flushable things to avoid any issues. 

Myth #7: Lemon Peels Clean Garbage Disposals 

Tossing a few lemon peels in your garbage disposal could make it smell better temporarily, but the acidity and fibrous nature of the peels can cause wear and tear on the disposal’s spinning blades. A safer way to clean your disposal is by tossing a handful of ice into your, which washes away oil and other buildup without damaging the blades. Baking soda and vinegar is another safer, more thorough cleaning solution. 

Myth #8: Sharpening Disposal Blades with Ice Cubes 

First of all, garbage disposals don’t actually use sharp spinning blades to break up food waste—they use duller metal to pulverize food. Ice cubes may help freshen the disposal by knocking off debris, so feel free to grind up a handful now and then. Just don’t count on them to make the disposal sharper. 

Myth #9: You Can Always Handle Your Own Plumbing Fixture Installation 

Installing plumbing fixtures is more than just tightening screws. Systems for residential plumbing are still somewhat complicated, and improper setup can lead to leaks, flooding and the high repair costs that come with them. Save yourself the hassle by hiring a professional plumber for fixture installation. 

Myth #10: All Plumbers Are the Same

Even though they’re all plumbers, you can’t just pick anyone out of the phone book. Licensing, work experience and reputation can make a big difference in the success of your plumbing service. Opting for an untrained plumber without the proper experience could end up costing you more over time. 

Trust Freedom Heating & Cooling for Professional Plumbing Assistance 

At Freedom Heating & Cooling, we offer high-quality solutions for all your plumbing problems. Our plumbing technicians have the skills to keep everything working smoothly, from your fixtures and sewer lines to your water heater and garbage disposal. If you are not totally happy with our work, we guarantee to fix it. Contact us today for reliable plumbing services at fair, honest prices.