At first glance, your plumbing system may look simple, but if you take an in-depth look, you’ll find an intricate system of pipes and components that can all have major problems. Because many people do not know much about the plumbing system in their houses, it is no wonder that certain myths and misconceptions have been made up.
Let us debunk some of the common myths about plumbing.
You Can Flush “Flushable” Wipes
Despite the name, these wipes should not be flushed. The material is not soluble in water, meaning these wipes can pile up in your pipes and cause blockage before they dissolve. This goes for makeup and baby wipes, and anything else that is not toilet paper.
Toilet paper is meant to dissolve, so it goes down the drain when you flush the toilet. Toilet paper does not lead to a sewer system blockage, causing you to call a plumbing service. In other words, aside from the obvious, the only thing you should flush is toilet paper.
Lemon Peels Clean out the Garbage Disposal
You might have heard once or twice that if you put lemon peels down the garbage disposal, it will freshen it up. These lemon peels may make your sink smell better, but they can also lead to a blockage.
The citric acid can lead to corrosion of the metal blades and make the disposal less effective. Instead, consider using a cleaner designed for the garbage disposal and make sure the power is off if you are cleaning the garbage disposal.
Call a plumber in North Las Vegas, NV, if your garbage disposal gets clogged.
A Coat Hanger is a Good Tool for Unclogging a Drain
Many people believe that a coat hanger can be used to unclog a drain, but it can cause damage. A coat hanger will likely scratch up the inside of your pipes, which makes it easier for a gunk buildup to occur. Call a plumbing service right away instead of attempting such a DIY fix if you detect a clog.
A Plunger Can Fix Any Clog
This is not true. Whereas a plunger can work on smaller clogs, there is a good chance that you might make a bigger blockage worse, causing an overflow. Your best bet is to call a plumbing service.
A Water Heater Cannot Explode
Even though water heaters have a valve designed to relieve pressure if it reaches a dangerous level, there is a chance of explosion if there is an issue with the components. Contact a professional plumbing service to regularly service and maintain your water heater.
Leaky Faucet? No Big Deal
We can assure you a leaky faucet is a big deal. According to the EPA, a leaky faucet can waste over 3,000 gallons of water per year. Remember, this is just one faucet. What if you have four or five faucets leaking in your house? That’s money flowing down the drain.
A leaky faucet can lead to water damage and a long-term increase in your water bills. Don’t hesitate. Call a professional plumber in North Las Vegas, NV, if you have a leaky faucet.
I Can Pour Grease Down the Drain if I Mix it with Hot Water
This is a very wrong and very common plumbing myth. Hot water does not make it okay to pour grease down the drain. When you pour grease down the drain, it begins to coat the pipes, and over time, the pipes can start collecting other debris like scum. Eventually, this leads to a blockage of your drain.
Many people believe that hot water will melt the grease, and it can be safely transported across the plumbing system. Once that grease gets further down, it cools down and re-solidifies. It’s better not to pour grease down the drain. Otherwise, you may need professional plumbing service.
Hot Water will Dislodge any Clog
This myth has sound logic, but it just isn’t true. Boiling water does not help with a blockage in the pipes. Instead of dissolving the gunk, much like it does with most things, pouring hot water might create a mess.
It might even be better if you use cold running water to move the solids down the pipe. Extremely hot water can cause PVC piping to bend or break. Instead, hire a professional plumbing service to get rid of a clog.
There is No Clog if Things Still Go Down the Drain
Most of the time, if your toilet is flushing well and the drains are functioning, then all is well. However, sometimes the pipes can be clogged even if the water is still flowing. A clog can start small and continue to build as more things go down the drain, meaning the problem could be growing without you realizing it.
If you notice that the water is taking longer to drain, call a professional plumber.
Anything Can Go Down the Garbage Disposal so Long as There is Running Water
Many people think that anything can go down the garbage disposal as long as the water is flowing. This is an easy way to damage your garbage disposal.
Your garbage disposal is not a trash can. Hard, thick foodstuffs like banana peels and eggshells can damage or break your garbage disposal. It can cost a lot of money to make such repairs. If you notice a problem with your garbage disposal, call a professional plumbing service.
Craig’s Plumbing: Offering High-Quality Services
At Craig’s Plumbing, we offer professional plumbing services to North Las Vegas, NV. We have the tools, experience, and training necessary to handle any plumbing emergency. In addition, our plumbers are available 24/7, and we offer same-day service. We offer written estimates upfront.
Call us at 702-496-3892 or book an appointment online today to learn more about our plumbing services and how we put our clients first.
