Don’t Fall for These 6 Common Plumbing Myths
Oh, the stories we’ve heard. There are so many plumbing myths swirling out there! We wanted to set the record straight on some of them, so you avoid severe mechanical damage and save money on potentially costly repairs.
Myth 1: Putting a Brick in Your Toilet Tank Will Save You Money
Rumour has it that if you put a brick in your toilet tank, it will use less water when you flush it. This is a bad idea! Placing anything in your toilet tank will impact the overall performance of it, not to mention a brick can crumble and leave sediment or damage the flapper or other plumbing mechanisms inside.
If you think you need a better performing toilet, we can help!
Myth 2: Flushable Wipes Are Perfectly Safe
You’d think you’d be able to trust something labelled as flushable, but don’t. Flushable makeup and baby wipes are big culprits for clogging pipes. Even if they do go down and are out of sight, out of mind, you could face expensive plumbing repairs later.
Tempted to toss them in the toilet? Aim for the garbage can instead.
Myth 3: A Noisy Water Heater Is Ready to Burst
If you’re beginning to hear rumbling or gurgling in your water heater, don’t panic. While it is an indication that something is up, you’re not in danger of witnessing an explosion.
A noisy water heater likely just needs to be cleaned. You’ll start to hear some rumbles when there’s a build-up of sediment in the tank, which will impact the machine’s ability to make hot water. Call a plumber and we can help you sort it out, before it turns into a water heater repair issue.
Myth 4: Liquid Drain Cleaners Are the Best Way to Unclog a Sink
Wouldn’t this be nice? Liquid drain cleaners are actually harmful for your pipes! They’re chock-full of chemicals. While they eat away at whatever is causing the sink clog, they’re also eating away at the pipes which will cause expensive plumbing damage later.
Instead, you can unclog a sink by pouring boiling water down the drain. If that doesn’t work, you may need to dig for any pesky hairs with a wire coat hanger or drain snake. After that, it may be time to contact a plumber!
Myth 5: If It Drains, Everything Is Fine
If your sink or tub is draining slowly, but everything eventually goes down… you still need to deal with it. Even though you can’t see it, there’s likely a clog somewhere in the pipes. It’s best to address it before nothing drains!
Myth 6: Ice Cubes Sharpen Garbage Disposal Blades
Another popular plumbing myth but it’s definitely not true. Using ice and salt can help clean your garbage disposal, but using ice too often can dull the blades.
The blades (which aren’t even really blades, but little teeth) don’t need to be sharpened. They’re designed to handle wear and tear.
Dealing with Plumbing Issues?
If you think your pipes need some TLC, let us help. Our expert plumbing technicians will assess the situation, explain the problem, and then quickly find a solution. Contact us today to book plumbing services!