Are you a new homeowner or someone learning how to maintain your home plumbing system? There are many myths surrounding home plumbing, all of which can lead to costly repair to systems and pipes. Before you take your mother’s advice and go the “DIY” route, read below for some of the top myths of home plumbing you’ll want to avoid.
Myth #1: Lemons Clean Your Garbage Disposal.
Many people believe that if your drains smell clean, they are clean. However, this is not the case. While running a lemon rind through your disposal may make your drain smell better, it won’t actually get clean. If you want to clean your drains, you will need to use a disinfectant. Spray the cleaning solution into the disposal, wait a few minutes for it to work its magic, and then use a cleaning brush to scrub the disposal. As an added tip, always remember to disconnect the garbage disposal from its power source before you clean.
Myth #2: Running Water While Using the Garbage Disposal Helps the Waste Travel Smoothly.
While using a garbage disposal, many homeowners believe they can put just about anything through the system as long as the faucet is running water. This is not the case, as hard or thick food items such as eggshells, banana peels and even sticky spaghetti can cause a blockage and damage the disposal blades. Before you put thick foods down your disposal, break the food into small pieces and mix them with water to ensure the waste will be disposed of properly.
Myth #3: As Long As Water Keeps Running Down My Drain, It Isn’t Getting Clogged.
This is another common misconception. Blockages are caused from a long term build up on the inside of the pipes that occurs over time. You can prevent and maintain blockages by making sure you routinely use an anti-blockage chemical as well as a drain filter to ensure that hair and non-perishable items do not go down the drain.
Myth #4: It’s OK To Clean Plumbing Fixtures With Hand Soap.
When cleaning the kitchen or bathroom, it is common to see people cleaning their sinks and faucets with hand soap. The truth is, this method is actually causing damage to the surface of material. Sinks, faucets and toilet bowls should always be cleaned with a strong disinfectant to keep them free of germs. Gently clean your faucets with a solution made from cut lemons and baking soda.
Myth #5: Plumbing Fixtures Require Little to No Maintenance.
Out of all the common plumbing myths, this is a dangerous one that will likely cause you the most problems in the future. Pipes are often obstructed by clogs, trees roots, or shifting home foundations, which can result in expensive plumbing repair such as sewer line replacement or a pipe replacement. Homeowners should routinely inspect and maintain sinks, faucets, toilets and pipes to make sure any sign of damage is addressed immediately. Remember, prevention is better than the cure.
Choosing the right plumbing service will be so much more beneficial to you and your family in the future. Having a trustworthy and professional plumbing service such as Eastern Plumbing, on call any time, will provide you with a peace of mind. You can be assured that all of our plumbers are continuously trained on all of the latest plumbing techniques and technological advances to stay ahead of the rest. Eastern Plumbing is always here to assist you with all of your plumbing needs and resolve any plumbing issues quickly, efficiently and at an affordable price.
