When it comes to plumbing problems, a lot of people have their own “quick fixes” for handling them. Although some of these fixes may seem plausible, they’re not always a good approach. Sometimes a supposed quick solution is actually born from a longtime myth that can cause a lot of problems for homeowners.
Let’s take a look at 5 of the most common plumbing myths that could do more harm than good.
You should use lemons to clean your garbage disposal
Everyone has heard that if your garbage disposal starts to stink; just drop a lemon wedge in and grind it up. While this may improve the smell emanating from your garbage disposal for a short time, there is no long-term benefit from “The lemon trick”. In actuality, you could be damaging your garbage disposal. The citric acid from the lemon can cause parts on the garbage disposal and other areas of your kitchen plumbing to erode over time.
In addition, the blades on your disposal can become dull from trying to cut up the lemon rind. It is recommended that instead of using lemons to clean your garbage disposal, you use a combination of soap and water. Just make sure that you disconnect the power source of the disposal before sticking your hand in. Swapping out the lemon for soapy water could save you from needing to repair your garbage disposal, or even worse, needing to replace it.
A leaking faucet isn’t a big deal
A faucet that drips slowly may not seem like a huge problem. It might be annoying to listen to, but if you can save some money by dealing with the drip to avoid paying to get your plumbing fixed, then it’s worth it right?
Wrong.
According to the EPA, even a small leak can cause up to 10,000 wasted gallons of water per year in a single household. Not only can a leaky faucet cost hundreds of dollars in wasted water, but it can also damage the faucet and cause water staining on your fixtures. If you’re experiencing leaks in any of your faucets it is best to get them repaired or replaced.
Your pipes are perfectly fine unless they’re clogged
Even though your drains might be working perfectly on the surface, there is a lot that can be happening behind the scenes. Mold, minerals, food, and more can all be building up inside of your plumbing. Eventually this can cause major problems for you and your home.
You can avoid much of the headache caused by pipe clogs by using proper drain hygiene. Use a trap to catch solid items that would otherwise clog your drain. Also, ask your local plumber about ways to avoid problems with your pipes and have them annually inspected to ensure they stay in top condition.
You can throw anything in your garbage disposal
Many assume it doesn’t matter what foods or waste they put in their garbage disposals. As long as the disposal grinds it up so it’s out of sight, they assume all is well.
However, foods with high grease content such as cheese and some meats can leave behind a greasy residue on your pipes that causes smelly and difficult-to-clean clogs. Harder food waste such as egg shells, bone bits, and citrus fruit rinds can dull the blades on your garbage disposal and force you to replace them.
You don’t need to worry about plumbing maintenance
Countless homeowners purchase their homes without giving much thought to the condition of their plumbing. The home inspection comes back with nothing to report on the plumbing and the new owner doesn’t think about it again—until there’s a major problem that could cost in the thousands to fix.
Plumbing fixtures, like any other part of your home, need to be cared for and maintained if they are to continually work properly. If you don’t think about the maintenance of your plumbing then you run the risk of paying a lot of money down the road when a problem does arise. Simple drain maintenance from a local plumber can save you from needing emergency plumbing repairs or all sort of new plumbing installations.
These 5 plumbing myths are very common because they sound so reliable. But don’t be fooled. Believing these myths to be true could actually be detrimental to the longevity of your plumbing, and ultimately your home. Keep yourself informed on the latest plumbing and home services news on our weekly blog!
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