Common Plumbing Myths You Should Never Believe

• Store-Bought Chemical Cleaners Work Best for Drain Cleaning

You’ve probably seen tons of liquid chemical cleaners being advertised as quick fixes for clogged drains. Most homeowners have actually stacked store-bought chemical cleaners in their bathroom closets in readiness for tackling clogs. These chemical drain cleaners are harmful to your pipes, your own health, and the environment. If you have a clogged drain that cannot be plunged or cleared using a plumbing snake, call a plumber that offers professional drain cleaning services to help you out.

• A Brick in Your Toilet Tank Saves Water

Believe it or not, there are many people out there who put a brick in the toilet tank to save water. This is actually one of the most far-fetched plumbing myths you can easily fall for. The truth is, this trick doesn’t work. It can cause damage to your toilet tank and cost you much more money down the line. What’s more, the brick will disintegrate over time and clog your plumbing. Instead of risking damaging your toilet tank, consider installing a low-flow toilet model, which uses less water without sacrificing performance. Low-flow toilets use about 1.28 gallons of water per flush, which is 77% less water than is needed for conventional toilets. Call a professional plumbing service that specializes in toilet installation to help you install a water-efficient toilet.

• You Can Sharpen the Blades on Your Garbage Disposal with Eggshells or Ice Cubes

This is a prevalent plumbing myth that causes more harm than good when it comes to garbage disposals. A garbage disposal doesn’t actually have blades. It has an impeller with blunt edges or grinders mounted on a spinning plate. As food scraps enter the disposal, the motor spins the impeller at high speed. Centrifugal force pushes the food waste against a stationary grind ring within the disposal chamber. While ice cubes might be helpful in reducing odors and improving the performance of a garbage disposal, eggshells can clog the appliance. Instead of grinding them in your garbage disposal, dispose of them in your regular trash bin. If your garbage disposal is not grinding food waste as it should, call a professional plumbing repair service for garbage disposal repair.

• Disposable Wipes Are Flushable

Many people believe that they can flush disposable wipes down the toilet, but this is simply not true. Even though they’re marketed as suitable to be flushed down the toilet, this is actually misleading. Disposable wipes can cause severe blockages and costly repairs. They belong to the trash bin rather than your drains.

• Lemon Peels Clean Your Garbage Disposal

There’s no doubt that lemon peels smell nice. But they’re not good for your garbage disposal. Lemon peels can harm your garbage disposal in two ways. Firstly, the pulpy skin can clog the appliance and cost you more money on garbage disposal repair. Secondly, the acid can corrode the components of the appliance. Instead of putting lemon peels in the appliance, consider using a combination of baking soda and white vinegar. Pour about half a cup of baking soda down the disposal, followed by a cup of white vinegar. The mixture will fizz as it reacts, helping to loosen grease and deodorize. Let it sit for 15 minutes, then flush with hot water for several seconds. If your garbage disposal clogs frequently, reach out to a nearby plumbing repair service for repairs.

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