Plumber Tips: Myths That Will Harm Your Plumbing System | Oak Ridge, TN
Sunday, August 30th, 2020
Photo By nito at Shutterstock
Homeowners have all heard stories about what they can and can’t do with their plumbing system. For example, are flushable wipes really a thing? And can you pour grease down your sink? There are many things that homeowners regularly do that actually damage their plumbing systems.
This article will debunk some of the most common plumbing myths. Avoiding these common mistakes will allow you to keep your plumbing system in good working order.
If you’re searching for a plumber in Oak Ridge, TN, or the surrounding area, you may like to contact My Professional plumber. The company employs a highly skilled team of professionals who can carry out all types of plumbing work, including drain cleaning, maintenance, and repair and installing plumbing systems into new builds.
Do Flushable Wipes Really Exist?
You may have heard that it’s ok to flush wipes down the toilet. Some wipes even say on the packet that they are flushable. Plumbers tend to disagree and are often called out to unblock toilets that have been caused by flushable wipes. Some will even go as far as to say that flushable wipes are a myth.
Some people think that wipes are more hygienic than standard toilet paper, or they use cleaning wipes on their toilets and then flush them. There is a problem with these types of wipes; they aren’t flushable. Most wipes are unable to effectively breakdown in your plumbing system, which can cause blockages. In time, multiple wipes will cause a build-up in your system and create a clog that will result in a blocked toilet and back-up.
Plumbers think that flushable wipes are one of the biggest plumbing myths. Do yourself a favor and put wipes in the bin rather than the toilet. It would help if you didn’t flush anything other than toilet paper. Avoid flushing things like sanitary products or q-tips.
Are Drop-in Tank Tablets Good for Cleaning a Toilet?
Drop-in tank tablets allow you to easily keep your toilet clean and fresh for weeks with minimum effort. But are they good for your toilet and plumbing system? Professionals urge you to think about what the tablets are doing to your toilet and the plumbing system’s inner workings.
Many toilet cleaners are actually very corrosive and have a detrimental effect on your toilet pipes. This is a significant problem, and many toilet manufacturers won’t give you a refund if they see that an in-tank cleaner has damaged your tank. You must recognize the damage that some chemical cleaning products can do to your plumbing system.
Can You Put Grease into Your Sink if You Run Hot Water at the Same Time?
There are many things that should never be allowed to get into your drains, including food particles and loose hairs. However, you may have heard that it’s ok to pour grease into your kitchen sink as long as you pour boiling water down the plug afterward or run the hot tap as you’re doing so.
Plumbers say that this is, in fact, a myth and that you should never put grease that’s leftover from cooking down your sink. The misconception here is that using hot water will help to melt the grease and will allow it to flow through your plumbing system. This isn’t the case as grease will solidify and can cause blockages in your drains and pipes. Over time this can cause severe problems, and you’ll need to call out a plumber to unblock the sink.
Instead of putting grease down the sink, you can use a paper towel to absorb it and wipe out cooking pans and trays. If you have a lot of fat, you can pour it into an old jam jar and leave it to set. This can then be thrown into the trash. It’s a good idea to pay attention to what goes down your sink and gets into your drains.
Putting a Brick in Your Toilet Tank Will Save You Money
Some people may tell you that in order to save money on your water bills, you can put a brick in your toilet tank to make it use less water. This is one of the oldest and most common plumbing myths there are.
This myth assumes that the brick will displace some of the water in your toilet tank, which means that it will use less water per flush and therefore reduce your water consumption and save you money.
Homeowners want to save themselves money, but putting a brick in your toilet tank isn’t a good idea. A brick in the tank can cause damage to your toilet. If the brick begins to crumble, as it will do over time, it will ruin your toilet flushing mechanism. Toilets have also been designed to use a specific amount of water to run correctly. If you force your toilet to use less water, you may find that it isn’t flushing effectively.
Water Heaters That Are Making a Noise Need to Be Replaced
It can be worrying when your water heater starts making a noise, but this doesn’t automatically indicate that it needs to be replaced. While sounds can indicate that a malfunction is occurring, it may be able to be repaired. If your water heater is making a noise, you should phone a plumber as soon as possible as your water heater has a risk of catching fire or even exploding.
Don’t automatically believe the myth that noise means you need to replace your water heater. Ask a professional to service your equipment as it might need to be cleaned and maintained. Water heaters should be regularly serviced and do tend to need regular maintenance. This can cause worrying noises.
My Professional Plumber
If you’re looking for a professional in Oak Ridge, TN or the surrounding area, don’t hesitate to contact My Professional Plumber. They can provide plumbing installation, can unblock drains and toilets, and also offer emergency repair. They can be contacted on 865-248-2549.