When going the extra mile to make sure your home is clean and your plumbing is protected, it’s hard to determine which tips and tricks are actually beneficial for your plumbing. You may be surprised to find that some plumbing secrets can actually damage your system. Truly protecting your home’s plumbing means understanding the components such as your pipes and garbage disposal and how certain foods, debris, and waste can affect them.
Various odors and sounds coming from your plumbing could mean that you just need to schedule maintenance services on a more routine basis. Other plumbing issues can be avoided with a bit more knowledge about how your plumbing works. The following plumbing myths are common among all households, so we decided to take a closer look at the myths that can be damaging to your pipes.
Putting lemons down your disposal is a great way to freshen up the sink.
While lemons can make your sink smell nice and fresh, they should not be put down your garbage disposal. The lemon peel is tough on the blades, and the acid from the juice can cause corrosion of your pipes over time. If you need a smelly drain fix, our Dallas team recommends using a solution of white vinegar and baking soda to clear foul odors in your disposal.
It’s normal for faucets to drip.
It’s not normal for your faucets to drip. A leaking faucet is a sign that one of the faucet’s components are damaged. Any issues with your faucets should be addressed promptly to avoid a larger repair in the future and to prevent your water bill from spiking.
Loud banging and gurgling from your water heater means it’s about to explode.
Many homeowners are told that it’s common for a water heater to explode from excessive pressure build up. This is not the case. When you hear a rattling sound coming from your water heater, it means that air is getting trapped in the sediment that has collected at the bottom of the tank. Water heaters should be flushed at least once a year in order to remove the minerals at the bottom and to increase your water heater’s efficiency. However, will it explode? No.
Pouring boiling water down your drains can remove a clog.
Just water can’t help you remove a clog, whether it’s boiling or not. If the drain is clogged because of hair or other small debris, the drain should be snaked. Your garbage disposal is trickier. Anything that is fibrous or tough, you should avoid putting down your disposal. Grease and coffee grounds can also clog the pipes that lead from your sink. If you are wondering how to unclog a sink effectively, call our Dallas plumbing experts. We will be happy to assist you!
Ice cubes can be put in the disposal to sharpen the blades.
A couple of ice cubes can be put down your disposal to clean the blades, but too much ice can actually dull the disposal’s blades over time. With everything that is thrown down there, your garbage disposal needs sharp blades to prevent debris build up.
All the information out there makes it easy to adopt bad plumbing practices. With Total Plumbing clearing the air about popular plumbing myths, you can be assured that you’re giving your pipes the best care possible.
