Homeowners barely think of plumbing until something goes wrong or when working on an upgrade project. Even when handling these plumbing problems, many homeowners rely on the general knowledge or tips that have been passed down over the years. Sadly, some of these tips are both misleading and costly to rely on when handling any plumbing problem at home.
They constitute a major percentage of existing plumbing myths you should be aware of and avoid entirely if you’re to enjoy seamless and successful plumbing projects. Below, we’ll look at the five most common plumbing myths that you should know about and stop believing in for a better-performing plumbing system.
Hot Water Can Help Dissolve Grease Down the Drain
Many homeowners believe that pouring hot water into the kitchen sink drain can help dissolve the grease completely down the drain. While hot water is effective at melting the grease stuck at the upper levels of your drain, it can’t melt it all the way down. The grease temporarily melts when the water is still hot, but it later solidifies as the water cools.
Pouring hot water inside to melt grease only pushes the problem further down into the drainage, making it worse to solve. The best way to address this problem is to have the grease removed professionally and do not hot grease down the sink’s drain. You can let it cool and then dispose of it in the trash for proper disposal.
Water Heaters Can’t Explode
Believing that your water heater can’t explode can be the primary reason why it eventually explodes, because you’re most likely not going to try to ensure the explosion never happens. Water heater issues, including explosions, are among the most common household plumbing problems that many homeowners face today. However, with effective care, your water heater can perform optimally, without worrying about potential explosions.
You should ensure that the pressure relief valves are functioning properly and that the temperatures aren’t set too high. Ensure you regularly inspect and maintain your water heater to identify any potential heating issues and address them promptly, thereby preventing dangerous situations.
Lemon and Vinegar Will Clear Clogs Down the Drain
While vinegar is an effective solution for cleaning, mixing it with lemon juice doesn’t always achieve the intended clog-clearing outcome it’s supposed to. The mixture of lemon juice and vinegar may work in unclogging mild blockages, such as food buildup in your garbage disposal, for some time.
However, when it comes to unclogging serious clogs, such as those caused by soap or grease buildup, this solution will not provide a permanent solution. It’s best to use a plunger or call a professional plumber, who will employ the right strategies and tools to unclog serious blockages without causing harm to your pipes.
Putting a Brick In the Toilet Tank Saves You Money
In the quest to save money when flushing the toilet, someone must have thought that placing a brick in the water tank was the most effective solution. This far-fetched plumbing myth has led many homeowners to believe that they can save money by displacing water in the toilet tank and thereby saving with every flush. While this could be true for some time, the long-term effect of using a brick in your toilet tank could be more costly than the water you’re trying to save.
The brick can cause some serious damage, and in turn, cost you money to repair. Since bricks disintegrate when left in water over time, they can mess up your toilet and associated plumbing, forcing you to pay for an expensive repair. Instead of using bricks in your toilet tanks, consider installing a low-flow toilet or an adjustable flapper to control water usage.
All Materials Are Safe to Flush
Many homeowners believe it’s safe to flush wipes and any material that’s marketed as flushable, while that’s not always the true performance of these materials. Most of these materials don’t break down as easily as toilet paper does, making it easier to clog and block your drain. To avoid the challenges that come with clogs and material buildup in your plumbing system, toss these materials in the trash instead of flushing them.
While plumbing issues are sometimes unavoidable, avoiding common plumbing myths can save you from many plumbing problems that can easily cost homeowners money. Most of these myths may appear as effective solutions at first glance, but they may end up causing you more problems than you initially had. Work with expert plumbers to monitor your systems and avoid falling victim to common myths.