Let’s Debunk 10 Common Plumbing Myths 

Issues with your home’s plumbing can be a real headache, but being tricked by popular misconceptions often makes them even more frustrating to try and resolve. You may be harming different plumbing fixtures, drains or even major fixtures and not even realize it! Let’s set the record straight on these 10 plumbing misconceptions to stop preventable damage from cropping up.

Myth 1: It’s Okay to Throw Trash Away in the Toilet 

It may seem easy to flush tissues, napkins, cotton pads, feminine hygiene products and other ‘seemingly’ flushable items down the toilet drain, but this is a bad choice. Toilets are only made to handle organic waste and toilet tissue. Flushing other items can cause blockages and costly repair work, so use the trash can for non-flushable items to avoid trouble.

Myth 2: It’s Safe to Use Flushable Wipes

Even with what the label claims, flushable wipes are not safe for your pipes. These wipes don’t disintegrate like toilet tissue and can clog your sewer pipe. Even if they make it past your home’s plumbing, flushable wipes build up in the larger municipal sewer system, worsening problems for utility workers. Thousands of tax dollars can be saved on sewer cleanup costs each year if everyone got rid of flushable wipes properly.

Myth 3: Garbage Disposals Can Handle Anything

Many people assume the kitchen garbage disposal can break down it all, but that’s not the case. Items like animal bones, used coffee grounds and shells of an egg can damage the disposal or block your plumbing. Oil is particularly infamous for blocking plumbing. No matter how much you flush the sink with boiling water, the grease gradually solidifies and causes problems. Pour oil into a container and toss it out once it solidifies. 

Myth 4: You Can Clean Your Garbage Disposals with Lemon Peels 

Putting lemon peels in your garbage disposal may make it smell better temporarily, but the acidity and texture of the fibers of the peels can wear out the disposal’s spinning blades. A better way to freshen the garbage disposal is by putting a handful of ice washes away grease and other gunk without breaking the blades. Baking soda and white vinegar is another safer, more thorough cleaning option. 

Myth 5: You Can Sharpen Disposal Blades with Ice 

First of all, garbage disposals don’t actually use sharp blades to break pieces of food down—they use grinding tools to pulverize food. Ice cubes may help clean the disposal by breaking up buildup, so feel free to grind up a handful every so often. Just don’t expect them to make the disposal sharper. 

Myth 6: Newly Installed Water Heaters Don’t Require Maintenance 

Water heaters require routine maintenance to work at their best. After enough time, sediment can collect inside, lowering performance and potentially limiting your water heater’s life span. Cleaning out the tank and inspecting the anode once yearly are the most beneficial steps to keep your water heater in working order. 

Myth 7: Many Leaks Are Fixed by Tightening the Faucet 

A leaking faucet usually indicates a broken gasket or cartridge, not a loose fitting. Over-tightening could strip the threads and worsen the leak. Instead of tightening the handle down further, reach out to a plumber to fix the underlying problem. 

Myth 8: All Plumbing Services Are the Same

Not all plumbers are created equal. Licensing, a work background and reputation can make a big difference in the quality of your plumbing job. Opting for a low-cost plumber without the proper credentials can end up costing you more over time.

Myth 9: Anyone Can Install Their Own Plumbing Fixtures

Setting up plumbing fixtures involves more than screwing on parts. Systems for residential plumbing are intricate, and improper placement can lead to leaks, flooding and the high repair costs that come with them. Save yourself the hassle by calling a professional plumber for fixture installation.

Myth 10: Problems Are Easy to Notice

A few plumbing problems are sometimes hard to spot until they start causing real trouble. A seemingly minor leak might not be very obvious until it’s created widespread water damage. Regular plumbing inspections help identify unseen problems early and stop them from becoming an expensive disaster.

Get Professional Plumbing Assistance

At Winnipeg Supply Service Experts, we provide professional assistance for all your plumbing problems. Our professionals have the expertise to keep everything running smoothly, from your bathroom fixtures and sewer lines to the water heater and garbage disposal. If you’re not entirely happy with our work, we guarantee to make it right. Contact us today for reliable plumbing services at an affordable price.