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Everybody has a helpful hint or a trick and you hear different versions from everybody, it’s ‘conventional wisdom,’ passed down from generation to generation. It applies to anything and everything and unfortunately, in many cases, it is oversimplified or just plain wrong.
Conventional wisdom in the plumbing world is no different; there are many myths. Lemon juice will freshen your drain, Run hot water down with the garbage disposal on? We will go through these as we explore the top plumbing myths that cost you money!
Plumbing Fixtures Are Low Maintenance
Ignoring your plumbing fixtures is not only cruel, it is harmful to their performance.
The lack of use allows the water in the p-trap to evaporate, causing dangerous sewer gas to smell up the house. This is not good! There are many stories about plumbing service calls that cost people money just because they have a bathroom that is not being used. You do not want to pay a service call and labor for a plumber to just turn the faucet on and run water down your drain for a few minutes.
Another problem that could occur if the house is vacant or no hot water is being used, is an electric water heater can create highly explosive hydrogen gas. Please do not blow your house up or cause any injury to you or a family member because you wanted to save a few dollars.
Alternative
Do not let your plumbing fixtures and equipment sit for long periods of time. Use them periodically to ensure health risks are not created. Run that sink and shower or bath a few minutes, use the hot water and these issues will be avoided.
Putting Lemons in Your Disposal to Make It Smell Fresh Is a Good Idea
Ahhhh! We have heard this one from everyone, lemons, do not put them down your disposal! You might briefly create a fresher aroma, but the citric acid from lemons corrodes the metal that is inside your disposal.
Alternative
Use ice cubes to polish your disposal inside of it, which will work just like a rock tumbler polishing rocks; it does make some noise, but it works. Power wash the scum causing the odor from the drain without ruining your disposal.
Water and Soap on Bathroom Fixtures Makes Them Just as Sparkly and Clean as Your Hands
You might have heard from someone that washing the faucet fixture with soap and water is just as good as anything else. You wash your hands and while doing it you put the soapy water on the faucet to clean it. Do not do this!
Water and soap cause plumbing fixtures to corrode, making the finish to peel and bubble.
Alternative
Use cleaning agents that are specifically for plumbing fixtures. You can find them at any grocery store. Lime away, 409, Bar Keepers Friend, etc.
This will also protect the lifetime warranties on products, which are voided when soap has rotted the finish.
“In the Tank” Cleaners Will Keep Your Toilet Sparkling and Smelling Like Fresh
You see commercials on TV that claim that if you use these ” In Tank Cleaners” that it will make your chores easier and decrease the amount of time you spend cleaning your toilet. It is one cost you can cut out if you use these products.
These products use bleach and the smell will build up, but don’t get rid of it. Eventually, the build up can ruin your toilet.
Alternative
Use vinegar down the overflow tube. This is where the hose off the fill valve pours water into, it is very recognizable. Vinegar removes smells that build up in the toilet and that can damage the flow of water into your toilet for a fraction of the cost.
Stuff Is Going Down the Drain, Everything Is Working Correctly
Everything is going down the drain just fine, does not really apply to the plumbing world.
Even though you can not see it, food like rice, pasta and bread crumbs will swell up in your drain pipes cause clogs, blocking the flow of drain pipes. Some waste will easily pass through the pipes.
If you do not have the proper amount of water to rinse it down, the waste will build up in the pipes and make the drain inefficient.
Alternative
To prevent blockage and drain clogging problems use sinks, toilets, and showers correctly. Make sure to fill the basins with water before draining. Showers need a hair screen in the drain to reduce the hairballs that will build up in the drain pipe.
Water Pressure Regulators Are Always Dependable
Water pressure regulators do give important information, but don’t place all of your trust in the readings they provide.
Alternative
Personally check the water pressure in your home. Doing this can save you trouble and money.
High water pressure is a major cause of leaks that can lead to floods in your home, and that annoying sound your toilet makes as it continuously runs to relieve pressure. High water pressure can do serious damage to gaskets and seals in your toilets and fixtures.
Summary
These are just some useful hints that will save you money and costly repairs. Always call a professional plumber for any consulting and questions you may have. The internet can be full of misleading information. If you live in the middle Tennessee area and need a professional plumber, you can always give us a call at 615-864-9459 and H20 Plumbing & Water Heaters can help you with anything you need.
H2O Plumbing & Water Heaters 