Myths About Plumbing: 10 Common Misconceptions and Mistakes

Issues with your home’s plumbing can be a real hassle, but being tricked by common misconceptions makes them even more problematic. You could be harming different plumbing fixtures, drains or appliances and not even realize it! Let’s clear up the confusion on 10 stubborn plumbing myths to stop unnecessary damage from cropping up. 

Myth #1: You’ll Know When You Have a Plumbing Problem

More insidious plumbing problems might be hard to spot until they escalate. A seemingly minor leak might not make itself known until it’s resulted in significant structural damage. Regular plumbing inspections can help spot hidden problems earlier to help them from escalating into major headaches.

Myth #2: You Can Put Anything in the Garbage Disposal

A large number of people believe their garbage disposal can handle it all, but that’s not the case. Food waste like animal bones, coffee grounds and even small pieces of eggshell can clog the disposal or block your drainage. Fat is especially infamous for blocking pipes. No matter how much you try and clear out the pipes with warm water, the oil eventually hardens and causes problems. Pour fat into a container and toss it out once it cools.

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

A leaking faucet often indicates a damaged gasket or mechanism, not a loose handle. Over-tightening could strip the threads and worsen the drip. Instead of just cranking the handle down further, reach out to a plumber to repair the root cause.

Myth #4: Flushable Wipes Are Safe to Flush

Despite what the packaging says, flushable wipes aren’t safe for your pipes and drainage. These wipes don’t break down like toilet paper and can clog your sewer pipe. Even if they make it past your plumbing system, flushable wipes continue to collect in the wider sewage system, causing problems for utility workers. Thousands of tax dollars can be saved on sewer cleanup projects each year if everyone threw away flushable wipes properly.

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

Water heaters require a regular schedule of professional maintenance to work at their best. Over time, residue can accumulate, lowering performance and potentially limiting your water heater’s total service life. Cleaning out the tank and examining the anode once yearly are the most beneficial steps to keep your water heater in better working condition.

Myth #6: It’s Okay to Throw Trash Away in the Toilet

It may appear easy to flush face tissues, paper towels, cotton pads, feminine hygiene products and other ‘seemingly’ flushable things down the toilet, but that’s a bad idea. Toilets are only made to handle human waste and bathroom tissue. Flushing other objects can result in plumbing issues and expensive repair work, so use the trash can for non-flushable items to avoid problems.

Myth #7: You Can Clean Your Garbage Disposals with Lemon Peels

Throwing lemon peels in your garbage disposal may make it smell better temporarily, but the acid content and texture of the fibers of the peels can wear out the disposal’s spinning blades. A better way to freshen your disposal is by sending a handful of ice cubes down the, which helps remove fat and other debris without harming the blades. Common household items like baking soda and vinegar is another safer, more thorough cleaning option.

Myth #8: Sharpening Disposal Blades with Ice Cubes

First of all, garbage disposals don’t actually use sharp spinning blades to break pieces of food down—they use grinding tools to break down food. Ice cubes may help clean the disposal by knocking off debris, so feel free to break down a handful now and then. Just don’t count on them to sharpen anything.

Myth #9: DIY Plumbing Fixture Installation Is a Breeze

Putting in plumbing fixtures is more in-depth than just hooking a few things up. Systems for residential plumbing are complex, and improper placement can result in leaks, water damage and the expensive fixes that come with them. Save yourself the hassle by calling 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. Credentials, work experience and reviews can make a big difference in the quality of your plumbing job. Selecting a cheap plumber without the appropriate background could end up costing you more over time.

Trust Canyon State Air Conditioning, Heating & Plumbing for Professional Plumbing Assistance

At Canyon State Air Conditioning, Heating & Plumbing, we offer Expert solutions for all your plumbing concerns. Our plumbing technicians have the skills to keep everything flowing smoothly, from your toilet and sewer lines to your water heater and garbage disposal. If you’re not completely happy with our work, you can rely on us to make it right. Contact us today for dependable plumbing services at fair, honest prices.