Here at Faulstick we’ve heard just about every plumbing myth in the book! These myths are often well-intended tidbits of advice passed down from generation to generation, however some of them end up leaving you with some rather unfortunate consequences. For your sake (and ours) we’ve compiled what we feel are the five biggest plumbing myths.
A Lemon peel a day keeps the Garbage Disposal Clean
Due to the nature of our garbage disposals they’re prone to smelling. This “tip” is supposed to be an easy, cheap, and quick fix to that problem. However, as is usually the case, this “quick fix” is doing more damage than it’s doing good. For one, the citrus peel isn’t actually cleaning anything in your garbage disposal so much as its simply masking the unpleasant smell. In fact, the coarseness of the peel may actually be damaging your disposal blades, making them dull and less effective overall.
What we recommend instead is getting out some dish soap, a good brush, and rolling up your sleeves. This way you’re actually cleaning the disposal and getting rid of what’s causing the stench as opposed to just covering it up.
Your Garbage Disposal is Invincible
Oftentimes people seem to think that their garbage disposal can handle just about anything, which unfortunately isn’t the case- even though we wish it was! Number one for things not to stick down the disposal is anything greasy. Of course, no pan grease, but also no cheeses or meats, super greasy fried food, etc. The oils and grease tend to cause a lot of issues with pipe clogs. We also don’t recommend anything water absorbent or brittle such as eggs shells, bread or doughy products, bones, or coffee grounds.
Hot Water Cleans Grease from Pipes
Going hand in hand with grease in the garbage disposal, grease in the sink is also able to cause a lot of issues. A common myth is that pouring boiling water down the sink helps to remove the grease build up from the pipes, which really couldn’t be further from the truth. What typically happens instead is that the hot water hardens the greased-up pipes, which can lead to some serious clogage! If you do happen to get grease down the drain, it’s best to call a professional instead to come scrape your pipes clean. However, of course, we recommend not getting grease in there in the first place.
Your Dishwasher is Wasteful
Unless you’re an extremely careful and cautious hand dishwasher your actual dishwasher tends to be much more water and energy saving. We assume this myth most likely stems from very very old dishwasher models. But either way, this is good news for all of us! We save money, time, energy, water, and effort by simply using our dishwashers instead of hand washing. Sounds good to us!
That Leaky Faucet is Fine
Usually people tend to push things off by saying that it’s “not a problem”, but this often isn’t the case. Your leaky faucet probably doesn’t seem like a real issue, but in reality it’s costing you more money each month than just fixing it would cost. Not only that but it’s really wearing out your plumbing, which could lead to more issues, rust, mold, and rot. It pays off to do some DIYing or call for some help than to let this issue develop into something more.
At Faulstick Plumbing, we specialize in installs, repairs, and inspections for all of your well, water, and plumbing needs. Our family-owned and operated business has built a reputation as the best-doing things the right way with the customer in mind, every time. Give us a call at 570-992-0447 to discuss your needs today!
