In this day in age, online resources are available for just about anyone with internet access. This advancement leads to an intense saturation of information, and quite a bit of opinions. When it comes to key information such as plumbing, it can be overwhelming and confusing as you work your way through the endless amount of resources. Is that article you read about unclogging your drain coming from a professional perspective, or are they speaking from a one-time experience? How do you know if they’re right? More importantly, if they’re wrong, what havoc could this wreak on your own home?
Let’s take a look below at some plumbing statements that we can debunk, and hopefully leave you feeling a bit more confident.
CHEMICALS ARE THE BEST WAY TO CLEAN A CLOGGED DRAIN
Have you heard this one before? Maybe you’ve believed this yourself. Using harsh chemicals as the only means to clear a drain is not only false, but it can play a large part in damaging your pipes. While products can clean issues within the drain, they are simultaneously gnawing away at them. If your pipes get to a place of irreversible damage, replacing them is the only (and expensive) solution. We recommend calling a plumber if you are uncertain of what tools or how to go about clearing your pipes.
ALL FLUSHABLE ITEMS ARE SAFE
If you see packaging for “flushable” items, it probably seems like an obvious action to dispose of them via the toilet. Unfortunately, this has created unnecessary troubles for both your pipes and your plumber. Common items that plumbers unclog are wipes labeled as “flushable” and sanitary napkins. While they can be flushable, it is not biodegradable as quickly as toilet paper, causing it to potentially get stuck on the way down. Plumbers recommend sticking to toilet paper to avoid that mess.
HOT GREASE DOWN THE DRAIN IS PERFECTLY FINE
This is never an acceptable way to get rid of grease. Pouring the grease down the drain while it’s hot will coat the pipes, and once it cools and hardens, it will leave you with the chance of a pipe burst or dangerous blockage. Let your grease cool down and pour it into an old can with a seal, or bag it up for the garbage.
A LEAKING FAUCET IS NORMAL
Everyone gets a leaky faucet at some point, right? Despite the fact that this can’t be avoided forever, it doesn’t mean it’s always a harmless issue. In fact, if your faucet starts leaking it’s likely an indication that an even bigger problem is on its way. Figuring out what’s wrong as soon as possible is essential.
LEMON PEELS GET RID OF SINK ODORS
Lemon might smell clean and fresh, but unless your garbage disposal is heavy duty, it can actually cause harm. The easiest way to achieve a fresh scent is to use a non-abrasive mixture. You can find natural mixtures (like vinegar and baking soda) that will accomplish this task.
Have any questions that you’re unsure of? You can call Graydon Faulstick Plumbing at 570-992-0447 or 610-381-4171 for more information.
