There tends to be quite the debate between plumbers and people who have never actually done the grunt work. Some say it is easy while others would rather leave it to the professionals. Where the lines start to blur is often based more on myth than on fact. With plumbing technology improving over the years, many plumbing myths have been busted. Now, we are not saying that everything you were told was a lie. Many myths were based on the truth when they began. But a lot has changed in technology and the way plumbing works now. Make sure that your ideas of how to take care of your plumbing components are not outdated as well as ignoring these long-lived plumbing myths.
Myth #1: If your sink and shower are draining, everything is just fine
On an everyday basis, this is probably true. Your drains are often the first sign that something may be going wrong under the surface. As a whole, you may not realize how quickly water goes down the drain regularly, but when it starts slowing down, people notice. Don’t ignore that sign, it usually means there is a problem you can fix if you catch it early enough. It is more than likely just a clog, but we recommend avoiding that area until the clog is removed to prevent serious problems.
Myth #2: Lemons and oranges are good for cleaning your garbage disposal
You aren’t the only one whose grandparents advised you to stick an orange or lemon down your garbage disposal once in a while to clean it naturally. This can do more harm than good. Although it can add a nice, temporary scent they can dull out or break your blades. Instead, turn off your garbage disposal, disconnect from the power source and use warm water, soap, and a brush to scrub the grime away.
Myth #3: Bleach tablets will keep the toilet clean
Chemical tablets should never be placed in the toilet or its tank. Instead, use cleaners that are specifically designed for a toilet. Bleach can destroy delicate components if they come into contact with too much bleach. If you are set on using bleach, it’s best to put some in the bowl, but flush it after about ten minutes.
Myth #4: As long as you are running water at the same time, you can pour anything down the garbage disposal
Simply running water does not improve the function of the garbage disposal system. The fact is that the garbage disposal blades are not made of titanium and can break if it is not taken care of properly or put the wrong items down the disposal. Common disposal destroyers include eggshells, bones, coffee grounds, and grease.
Myth #5: A noisy water heated means it is running out of life
If your water heater starts making noise, you may think its end is near and you’ll run out of hot water before your next shower. Before you start to stress out and worry about affording a new one, just take a deep breath and call ASAP Plumbing and Appliance. Many times, the noise is simply just due to the buildup of sediment in the tank. Hard water causes loose minerals to accumulate at the bottom of the tank, near your heating element. If you turn the hot water on, your heating element turns on, but the sediment keeps the heat from doing its thing and warming up the water. Instead, it expands and turns into air bubbles, making the loud noises you are hearing. While it’s not going to cause the immediate end of your water heater, it can make it run inefficiently. Your plumber can let you know if your best bet is a new one or if your heater is young enough that a repair is sufficient.
Myth #6: If it says “flushable”, it’s okay to flush it
This myth is becoming a big problem for pipes and plumbers everywhere and can lead to plumbing disasters. Sure, “flushable” things will flush… but that does not mean that they cleanly slide through your pipes like regular toilet paper. When something does not biodegradable quickly, like flushable wipes, they accumulate in your pipes and cause clogs. Plumbers are constantly unclogging “flushable” wipes and other things like sanitary napkins, that should never be flushed down a toilet.
Myth #6: All plumbers are created equally
When you need plumbing help, you can’t just call any old plumber and expect to get the same quality service. You want to be sure the person you are calling out to your house to save the day has the knowledge and experience to fix whatever issues you are having quickly and efficiently. The way to do this is to search around for plumbing companies that have good reviews and make sure that they are up to date in their use of technology. A lot of changes have been made in the field of plumbing, and keeping up with innovative, cutting-edge services is part of what a good plumber does.
When you call ASAP Plumbing and Appliance Repair, you can be confident that the person who comes to your home to fix your problem will be an expert and will be able to confidently help you solve your issue.