If you've ever heard and believed that sugar causes hyperactivity or that you'll get a cramp if you have a meal and then jump straight into the pool, you might believe some of these common myths and misconceptions about plumbing too. In fact, there's no research that indicates that sugar makes kids more wired, and you should feel fine eating at the pool. Likewise, you should just forget you ever heard these common myths about your plumbing system.
Drain Cleaners Are Safe for Clogged Drains
While commercial drain cleaning products you pick up at the store may work well, it doesn't mean they're safe. These products contain hazardous substances and abrasive chemicals that corrode the inside of your pipes as they travel through. There's also a possibility that the drain cleaners can burp back into your clean water and taint it. It's best to use environmentally friendly cleaners that work just as well without all the nasty residue ruining your plumbing.
Lemons in the Garbage Disposal Freshen up Your Kitchen
People toss a lot of different things into the garbage disposal thinking that they're doing a lot of good for the plumbing. For instance, there's a common misconception that's gone around for decades that putting lemons in the garbage disposal will clean the garbage disposal while leaving your kitchen smelling lemony fresh. It's true that putting lemon wedges down the garbage disposal will leave your kitchen sink smelling nice for just a moment. However, putting anything acidic down the garbage disposal will corrode the metal components that work hard to break down waste.
If It Fits, You Can Flush It
Many people take a misguided approach to flushing things down the toilet. Too many toilets are used as garbage disposals these days, with people flushing rotten food, wipes, sanitary napkins, and more down their toilets. Just because it fits in the toilet and will flush doesn't mean it should. Even products that tout the label of being "flushable" are usually not. The only things you should flush down the toilet are human waste and toilet paper, and absolutely nothing else.
Leaks Are a Normal Part of Plumbing
Leaks might be a normal part of your plumbing, and if that's the case, you need a plumber right away. Many plumbing systems leak, a lot of faucets drip, but this may be a symptom of a much larger problem. Even if not, it's best to get any leaks taken care of by professional plumbers as soon as you can to avoid them becoming bigger problems in the future.
Washing Faucets with Soapy Water Will Make Them Clean
Soap and water works great for cleaning dishes, your clothes, and your hands. However, with your plumbing fixtures and faucets, you should invest in a specialty cleaner. When buying cleaning supplies for your bathroom, look for labels that indicate it's for kitchen and bathroom use. Soap and water causes faucets to corrode faster, so the metal will quickly become damaged and look dingier.
There are a lot of misconceptions in the world that sound convincing and so people believe they must be true. Like many other things, when it comes to your plumbing, you shouldn't believe everything you hear either. Certain things need to be left to the professionals.
