The Truth Behind 7 Common Plumbing Myths

You might have fallen for a few myths when you were young, like flushing ice cubes down your toilet or wearing your pajamas inside out will ensure a snowstorm. Over time, you may have learned the truth about these childhood myths, but there may be some myths surrounding your home’s plumbing you still believe to be true.

We are here with some advice to set the record straight on seven plumbing myths you may have heard.

1. Ice Cubes Are Great for Sharpening Your Garbage Disposal Blades

False. Ice cubes can help dislodge food stuck to your garbage disposal blades, but they won’t make them sharper.

2. Flushable Wipes Live Up to Their Name

False. Despite being marketed as safe to flush, flushable wipes can actually cause major plumbing backups in your system.

Unlike traditional toilet paper, the wipes don’t break down in the system and can create a plumbing issue.

3. Bricks in Your Toilet Help Save Money

False. Let’s keep the bricks to your home’s foundation or walkway.

Bricks in the back of the toilet damage the guts of your toilet, causing leaks. Extra flushing or leaks drive up your water bill.

4. Water Heater Explode When They Rumble

False. Your water heater can make different sounds that indicate sediment buildup or other issues with your water heater. In most cases, it is not a warning that your water heater is getting ready to explode, but it may be a sign your water heater needs repair.

Contact an expert plumber to examine your water heater and find out the cause of the rumbling. You can prolong the life of your water heater by doing some routine maintenance.

5. It’s Safe to Take a Shower or Bath During a Lightning Storm

False. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggest avoiding showering or bathing during a lightning storm. It is rare but possible for lightning to travel through your plumbing.

6. Running Hot Water Down Your Garbage Disposal Breaks Up Grease

False. While hot water does help break down the grease, once the grease hits the cold pipes farther down your plumbing system, it will solidify.

That grease deposit now becomes a clog that attracts other things coming down the pipe, which is why you should not pour grease down your sink.

7. Liquid Drain Cleaners Clear Clogs Safely

False. Many liquid drain cleaners use abrasive and strong chemicals that may clear the clog but can cause damage to your pipes.

There are natural alternatives to clear clogs, but we recommend calling a plumber for stubborn ones. Stubborn clogs that don’t clear can be a sign of even bigger plumbing issues.

Trust Len The Plumber for Plumbing Fixes That Work

Your parents might have used some fables to keep you out of the pool or from sitting too close to the TV, but following the advice of some plumbing myths could cause damage to your home’s plumbing system.

Learn plumbing fixes from the experts. At Len The Plumber, our expert technicians have years of experience and training, not fables and myths, to make sure your plumbing system works.

Call us today at (800) 950-4619(800) 950-4619 or contact us online to schedule a service.