When it comes to sinks, drains, toilets, and tubs, there is a host of plumbing wives tales that have been circulating from one generation to the next. But when plumbing’s involved, many things are just common sense.
Have you ever wondered which plumbing tips are myths and which are bona fide remedies that should be embraced in everyday life? Here are some myths that need relearning.
- When in the kitchen cooking and cleaning, it’s OK to put just about everything down the kitchen sink. People who engage in this practice often learn the hard way … after a visit from the plumber. Remember when you’d see your mom cooking up bacon and put the grease in an old soup can? There’s a reason for that. Fats and oils that make their way down the drain can congeal quickly in the pipes. Don’t put your potato peels, coffee grounds or tea leaves down the drain, either. Those food pieces can get lodged in the traps and bends of the pipe and create a huge obstruction.
- Putting lemons down the drain will keep the sink clean and obstruction-free. This might give you a nice, fresh scent temporarily, but the citric acid can actually corrode your pipes. Instead, think about keeping the blades sharp by running the disposal while throwing a few pieces of ice down the drain.
- A liquid cleaner is the best thing to use if you are trying to clear a clog. While advertisers might have you believing otherwise, liquid cleaners can actually harm your pipes and septic system. The best thing to do if you have a clog is to pour some very hot water down the sink, or run a plumbing pipe down the drain to clear the blockage.
- It’s OK if my hand soap gets on my fixtures. While it’s only natural that hand soap is going to land on our sink fixtures as we wash our hands, it’s not a good thing. Hand soap can damage the surface. Instead, use a gentle cleaner designed for fixtures, or use a little baking soda.
- My plumbing system should work just fine with all my relatives in town for the weekend. When you have house guests and the shower and toilets are put to use more than normal, it takes longer for lines to drain and water heater tanks to fill. Try to stagger showers and be mindful of the extra work you’re putting on your plumbing system.
- Everything is working fine right now, so I don’t have to worry about my plumbing. This is perhaps the most prevalent among the plumbing wives tales. It would be nice, but unfortunately that’s not the case. Plumbing, like any other system in your house, needs a regular maintenance schedule to keep things operating. Regularly inspect your pipes and faucets for any signs of leaks or anything unusual.
For answers to your questions about plumbing myths or any other issue, contact the Pink Plumber today.
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