It is something that everyone knows. After all, it’s supposedly conventional wisdom that’s passed down to generations. It can be about anything. However, many cases oversimplify them or are incorrect information.
This includes the home plumbing myths. Many myths prevail, such as using flushable wipes or being able to put all food waste down the garbage disposal. Read on to learn about the top 10 plumbing system myths that cost you money!
Keep reading to see if you’re guilty of the following.
Don’t put lemons in your disposal. It might create a fresher aroma for a while. However, lemons contain citric acid, which can corrode the metal in your disposal.
The Better Alternative:
Use ice to polish your disposal’s interior. It works much like a rock tumbler polishing rocks. This can be loud, but it works. This will wash off the scum from the drain, removing the odor without damaging your disposal.
“In tank” cleaners that are advertised to decrease the time you scrub your toilet and make your chores easier are a cost you can cut. These products only bleach smelly accumulations, but the buildup still remains. This can eventually damage your toilet.
The Better Alternative:
Put vinegar down the overflow tube instead. Vinegar can eliminate the smelly buildup that can ruin your toilet’s flow for a much lower cost.
If you purchase a cheap product and it breaks, don’t expect that it will be replaced with the latest and greatest one on the market. You are stuck with what you buy. You’ll also end up spending money and time reinstalling this product.
The Better Alternative:
Buy high-quality products from the get-go to prevent trading in the junk for more low-quality plumbing appliances or fixtures.
Something we’ve all done to help wash waste down the drain is to keep the faucet on while the garbage disposal runs. Inevitably, we’ve also had to reach down the drain to remove any leftovers that got jammed in the pipes.
Letting the water run down with waste doesn’t help remove the blockage if it was already there before the water shows up.
The Better Alternative:
The sink basin should be filled with a 4:1 ratio of water to waste. This way, the waste separates and flows easily down the drain. Be mindful of what you feed into the garbage disposal.
The saying ‘out of sight, out of mind’ doesn’t really apply to your plumbing. Even if you can’t see it, some food wastes like rice and pasta will bloat in the pipes and clog them. This will block other waste from passing properly through the pipes.
Ensure that you have the right water quantity to help rinse the waste down. Otherwise, they can build up in the pipes and cause inefficient drainage. Also, be sure to throw items in their appropriately designated space. For example, place food scraps in the compost bin and diapers in the trash.
The Better Alternative:
Use toilets, sinks, and showers properly to avoid clogging and blockage problems. Fill basins with water before draining them. Place a hair screen in the drains of your showers to reduce human hairballs in your pipes.
Water pressure regulators provide crucial information about water pressure. However, don’t put all of your trust in their readings.
The Better Alternative:
Check your water pressure personally as this can save you a lot of money and trouble. How? High water pressure is one of the primary causes of leaks and floods. It also causes the annoying noise your toilet emits as it relieves pressure over and over.
When you wash your hands at the sink, you might have noticed that you leave some soapy water when you’ve turned off the faucet. You might not think it’s a big deal, but it actually is. Soap and water can corrode faucets and fixtures, making them bubble and peel.
The Better Alternative:
Wipe the sink and faucets after use. This takes an extra second, but it will help avoid corrosion on your fixtures. This will also keep the products’ warranties from becoming void. Remember that these warranties become void when soap has ruined the finish.
User manuals aren’t just a checklist of parts or fancy-labeled pictures. They also contain helpful information about the product. It might not be entertaining to read them, but doing so can save you time and money in the long run.
The Better Alternative:
Read the manual at least twice. User manuals have information on proper usage and warranties that can help increase your product’s service life.
It is detrimental to your plumbing fixtures’ performance when you ignore them just because they are cold as steel and hard as stone. Not using them as often allows for the evaporation of a p-trap. This means dangerous sewer gas can circulate throughout the house. An electric water heater that sits unused can lead to the production of highly explosive hydrogen gas. This is one situation where you want less bang for your buck.
The Better Alternative:
Your plumbing equipment and fixtures shouldn’t sit for an extended period. It is best to use them periodically to prevent the creation of health risks. The time you spend turning them on now and then could save you a lot if it means preventing your house from detrimental circumstances.
Someone might label themself as a plumber, but it doesn’t necessarily mean they are a licensed plumber or properly educated in their field. All plumbers have the opportunity to receive continuous plumbing education, certificates, and special cards for several product installations. If a plumber poorly installs a fixture or chooses the wrong one, you have to spend more time and money to call another plumber.
The Better Alternative:
Use reviews, state certification boards, and third-party sites like Google to find the right plumber. This will help make sure that you hire a qualified and well-educated plumber.
Call Tower Energy for reliable plumbing services. Our company is one of Hartford County, CT’s most reliable plumbing service companies. Some of the plumbing services we offer include water leak repairs, professional plumbing inspections, clogged drain repairs, faucet repairs and replacements, and water-efficient plumbing fixture installations. We provide a wide range of solutions for any plumbing repairs when possible. This allows you to choose which one works best for your needs and budget.
We guarantee that we have the best and most affordable plumbing services in Hartford County, CT. Each of our friendly plumbers is equipped with extensive experience and the proper licenses to ensure your satisfaction. All of our work comes with a guarantee. Contact Tower Energy today to schedule a free estimate.
Contact us now or call us at (860) 677-7347 to find out more.
