Plumbing Myths Debunked
From old wives’ tales to the local handyman’s advice we tackle plumbing myths that have been around for years. We hope to clear the air and set the record straight so you can be educated with the truth!
- The use of toilet bowl cleaners is a good thing-
This depends on where you are putting the cleaner, in the tank or the bowl? If your putting any chemicals into the tank of your toilet this is bad. There are rubber parts in your tank that will disintegrate at a much faster pace causing premature repairs. Most toilet manufactures also state that their warranties are voided if there is use of in tank cleaners. If you must use these cleaners, opt for the ones you place in the bowl of the toilet not the tank.
-When pouring grease down the kitchen sink or running the garbage disposal, use hot water-
For starters, we recommend never pouring grease or food down the drain. Garbage disposals are bad for your pipes because it promotes grease blockages. If you must use the disposal or pour that pan of grease down the drain then we recommend using cold water to wash it down. The reason being is that grease solidifies in cold temperatures which will send pieces of grease down the drain and into the sewer. If you use hot water the grease will liquify which will cause the grease to stick to the sides of the pipe, eventually causing a buildup.
- Flushable wipes can be flushed down the toilet-
Wrong! Yes, the manufacture states they can be flushed but they are not plumbers. Time after time we get calls for backed up toilets and sewers because those pesky wipes do not breakdown like toilet paper. The only thing that should be flushed is human waste and toilet paper. Save yourself the trouble and the expense and throw everything else in the garbage!
-If I put a brick in the toilet tank, I will save water-
Toilets today have come a long way with water conservation. Old toilets used 3.5 gallons per flush while new toilets use between 1.28 and 1.6 gallons to flush. Toilets are specifically engineered to use the right amount of water to efficiently flush what is in the bowl. If you try to use even less water by displacement your toilet will not flush right, possibly causing a backup.
-Draino or other chemicals are good for blocked drains-
Yikes! While we can understand the appeal a product like Draino has, are you aware of the potential dangers that go along with it? We all know it’s a chemical and chemicals can be harmful. They are dangerous to use but also are very harsh to you sink and plumbing pipes. Draino sitting in your pipes can cause damage and eventually a leak from eating away at the walls and connections of your pipes. Even worse is when the Draino does not work and you must call a plumber please make him/her aware that you attempted to use chemicals. That way the plumber can take the proper precautionary measures to ensure their safety as well as yours.
In conclusion, there are many myths roaming around out there. Some coming from old school thinking or the local know-it-all and of course the internet. If in doubt ask your licensed plumber, the professional. S and J Plumbing is available 24 hours a day to answer any questions you have!
