Last Updated on March 12, 2024 by Nasir Hanif
An American household with four members uses around 400 gallons of water every day on average. That’s a lot of work for your pipes! Considering your plumbing system deals with a lot more than clean water, it’s incredible they hold up as well as they do.
But wear and tear, overuse, and misguided plumbing myths can all contribute to serious plumbing issues. Some myths can cause such bad damage that even the best plumber would have trouble fixing them.
Want to know what they are so you can avoid doing them? Here are the top plumbing myths you need to know about!
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Bricks in Toilet Tanks Save Water
There’s a myth floating around the plumbing industry that if you put a brick in your toilet tank, it will allow less water in. The reasoning behind this myth is that you will use less water when you flush and save money on your water bill.
But your toilet tank is the size it is for a reason. Putting anything into your tank will stop it from flushing the way it should and could damage your toilet.
Noisy Water Heaters Are Bad News
Is your water heater or sump pump making a lot of noise? You might think that it’s about to explode or you have a costly problem on your hands.
While noises might not be good news, your water heater is likely still working fine. Often, sediment and other build-up cause these noises as steam bubbles rise through the water. Either way, you should still call the best plumbing company in your area to clean your tank, so the problem doesn’t get worse.
Hire a local residential plumber like benjaminfranklinplumbingmi.com or johntheplumberkansascity.com.
Baby Wipes Are Flushable
Why in 2022 do people still think you can flush anything other than toilet paper? And yet it’s one of the most common plumbing myths!
People think that baby wipes, face wipes, sanitary towels, tampons, and lots of other toiletry problems are flushable, and they are not. Invest in a bathroom wastebasket and always use the one provided in restrooms.
Dripping Faucets Are a Minor Problem
So you have a leaky tap? What’s the big deal? You might as well wait until the problem gets worse before you call a plumber, right?
No! Dripping faucets waste a lot of clean water. Plus, they could be a sign of a more significant problem with your pipes.
Plunging Helps Drain Cleaners Work
If you have clogged pipes, you might reach for one of two tools. The first is a plunger and the second is a liquid drain cleaner.
But one of the worst plumbing myths is to use both on nasty clogs. This method will cause the drain cleaner to rise back up through the pipe. If these strong chemicals touch your skin, they could cause chemical burns.
Don’t Fall For These Plumbing Myths
When you own a home, you want to do whatever you can to care for it well. Now you know which plumbing myths to avoid, you will be able to do a much better job.
Want to learn more handy DIY skills so you can become a savvy homeowner? Browse our home improvement articles for tons more guides and advice!
