Home plumbing myths – Have you become the victim of any of these plumbing myths? The truth is, “commonplace knowledge” tends to lead people to believe certain things are safe for their home plumbing when in reality, myths cause more damage than they do good.
It’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with common myths that are costing you money. Some myths cause damage that will result in your plumbing system needing some major fixes – which can be costly.
1. Flush the Disposables
You’d think that toilet paper and baby wipes aren’t all that different, right? Wrong. When it comes to flushing things like wet wipes, paper towels or feminine hygiene products down the toilet, anything other than toilet paper is likely to cause a blockage. Sometimes products are labelled as “flushable wipes,” but the truth is, they should not go down your toilet. Put simply: If a product doesn’t have the word “toilet” in its name, don’t flush it.
2. Drain cleaner is the best solution
Many people think that drain cleaner is the best remedy for their clogged sink or shower. While drain cleaners may give you that temporary quick-fix, those products are made of extremely strong chemicals that can be very damaging to your plumbing system.
3. It’s going down the drain, so my pipes are fine
More than that, most people are fairly certain that all is well in the pipes so long as everything goes down the drain. But once again, this isn’t necessarily true. Blockages don’t happen all at once. Rather, it takes time for debris to build up inside the pipes.
4. Freshen with lemon
It’s not uncommon to put lemons down your drain to freshen up the smell. But this temporary fix is a long term troublemaker. Citric acid from lemons will corrode the metal pipes in your drainage system and the damage may eventually lead to a burst as a result. A leak is one thing, but a burst in your plumbing may become costly.
5. Leaving the leaky faucet is okay
A dripping tap may not seem like an urgent situation, but as mentioned in 5 Ways to Reduce your Expensive Water Bill, leaking water accumulates in both cost and wastage over time. Even a slow, leaking faucet will inevitably affect your water bill. So, when you notice there’s a drip, rather get it fixed earlier than later and avoid the unnecessary costs.
6. Putting a brick in the toilet tank will save water
Simply put – this is totally wrong. There are many water-saving methods for your toilet – such as using water-saver flushers and faucets, fixing leaky flushes and more (#ASKAPLUMBA). Bricks will not save you any water. Actually, it will interrupt your toilet’s water flow and lead to flushing issues. If the brick is not solid, it may break apart and damage the internal components of the flush.
7. Most plumbing issues can be fixed as a DIY job
Do not fall for this myth. This statement is commonly made by people before they put their plumber on speed dial after a disaster situation. A plumber has crucial knowledge and experience and is essential to most non-trivial plumbing tasks. While fixing a leaky faucet or cleaning the pipes may not necessarily require an expert, anything more than that does require at least some professional input, if not professional skills.
Always consult a qualified and trustworthy plumber before going in for the DIY repairs yourself. You’ll prevent future trouble and save on the unwanted costs of major plumbing fixes too.
It’s true, plumbing isn’t necessarily a beloved aspect when it comes to homeownership, but it’s fundamental to maintaining a healthy, happy and functional household. The best practice is to always consult an expert when your pipes present a problem.
You can contact DMS Plumbing for all your plumbing needs, professional plumbers available 24/7, where your No. 2 is our No. 1!