Common Plumbing Myths

Common Plumbing Myths

When we visit the homes and offices of our clients, we usually answer a long list of questions about plumbing and the plumbing system they have in their locations. It thrills us to clear up common plumbing myths so that people better understand the truth about their plumbing systems and how they function. The following is the top four common plumbing myths clarified!

My Garbage Disposal Can Handle Anything

Well, let’s think about our “common plumbing myths” #1 for a moment. ANYTHING? No, sir, not going to happen, and probably because you are thinking that there are a million sharp blades in your garbage disposal. This is not the case. Rather than sharp blades, your garbage disposal has an “impeller” operated by a motor that spins at a high rate of speed. This impeller has blades, but not sharp knife-like blades as you may be thinking. Instead, the job of these blades is to provide the centrifugal force necessary to push food against the “grinder”, which is the mechanism that actually breaks down the food to pass safely through your plumbing system.

The rule of thumb with garbage disposals: Do NOT put anything in your garbage disposal that you cannot break down with your teeth.

Hot, Liquid Grease Is Harmless To My Drains

Our “common plumbing myths” #2 is the reason for many of our house calls. Fat, oils, and grease are some of the biggest threats to your plumbing system, and they can create problems very quickly. You may be pouring the liquid forms of these substances down your drain, but they cool very quickly, leaving behind a sticky substance that lines the interior of your pipes. The sticky substance collects more and more waste that flows through your pipes and before you know it, you have a blockage.

Please pour baking grease, etc., into a separate container to be disposed of properly far away from your plumbing system!

Pipes Always Burst When They Freeze

“Common plumbing myths” #3 is not true at all. Too many people believe that if their piping is subject to well below freezing temperatures, that a bursting pipe is inevitable. Not the case at all. In fact, many pipes burst during the thawing process due to quick contraction and expansion of the pipes. You can easily help this process by applying “slow heat” to your frozen pipes, such as a hair dryer or similar heating source. Never, but NEVER use an open flame to thaw your pipes. You WILL get wet.

Plumbing Leaks Are Common And Not A Big Deal

The last of the “common plumbing myths” for this article is that leaks aren’t such a big deal. If you are the type of person that doesn’t mind having a bucket under the kitchen sink, you may want to rethink your plan to contain the leak. The average home with plumbing leaks loses 10,000 gallons of water every year and that can be expensive, aside of incredibly wasteful. In fact, paying for lost water can be more expensive than a 30-minute visit from your plumber, so give us a call as soon as you think that you have a leak!