True or False? Flushing 7 Common Plumbing Myths Down the Drain

Most people do not know much about plumbing. As a result, they tend to believe and engage in practices that harm drainage systems in and around their homes. Similarly, many online resources today make it difficult to distinguish what is true from what is false.

As a plumbing service in Scarborough, Drain King Plumbers understands your constraints when you suddenly encounter a problem with your pipes or drains. It is even more difficult when you have no clue why the problem keeps occurring. 

You may have a few misconceptions about plumbing that may cause you to make mistakes, eventually resulting in persistent drainage problems in your home.

We want to dispel some common misconceptions about drainage systems that you may have because we care about protecting your pipes and pockets at Drain King Plumbers. 

For this reason, we have highlighted seven common plumbing myths that often result in clogged drains, leaks around your house, or burst pipes.

7 Common Plumbing Myths

To ensure your house is safe against water damage and possibly a flood, below are seven plumbing myths that could cause problems in your pipes, drainages, or sewers.

1. You can put anything in the garbage disposal

The belief that you can dump anything in your garbage disposal is a common misconception. 

Garbage disposals are helpful kitchen appliances. However, it should not replace your garbage bin because putting some food items down your drain may cause clogging and eventually blunt the garbage disposal blades.

Although your garbage disposal has sharp blades, it is not a grinder. Please do not treat it as such. Therefore, dumping bones in your garbage disposal may not only break it, but could also clog your drains. Similarly, dumping starchy foods like bread, rice, oatmeal, or pasta is bad for your garbage disposal. Starchy foods will form a paste when wet and then expand, thus clogging your drain.

2. Chemical drain cleaners are good for removing clogs in drains

Chemical drain cleaners are common for fighting clogs in your drains. However, you may be unaware that these drain cleaners may weaken your pipes as you use them.

Chemical drain cleaners create a chemical reaction inside your drains that release heat, weakening the material used in making pipes—polyvinyl chloride (PVC). These drain cleaners also cause corrosion in your drains and cause your pipes to wear over time or even burst.

We understand that clogs are a major source of concern, and getting rid of them is important. It would be best to consider other safer ways to clear your drains of clogs, like baking soda mixed with vinegar. Flushing this mix down your drain will clear any clogs.

Alternatively, it is better to call a plumbing service to help remove the clogs.

3. Grease doesn’t pose any problems to your drainage system

Pouring grease from cooking oils down your drains is a bad practice. You may believe that because it is liquid, it will go down your pipes without causing any problems. The problem is not with liquid grease but when the grease gets into the drain and cools. 

When oils cool in your drain, they become solid and will stick to other debris in the drain, thus causing a clog.

If the grease does not cool in your drain and finds its way to the sewers, it will pose a bigger problem because it will connect with grease from other households. Over time, it solidifies and sticks to the sewer ceilings, clogging the entire sewer system.

To get rid of grease in your home, use a paper towel to soak up the oil in your dishes after cooking or eating, and then dump it in the trash.

4. If it flushes, then you can flush it

This myth could not be more wrong. You must not flush certain items, as they will clog your drains. Only water, human waste and flushable sanitary products should go down your drains.

Some common items that you should not flush down the toilet or sink because you risk having to deal with a blockage problem are;

• Hair
• Disposable diapers
• Sanitary napkins
• Sanitary pads
• Paper towels
• Cotton balls
• Coffee grounds
• Eggshells
• Bones

5. Minor leaks pose no threat

Even the smallest leaks will lead to a bigger problem if you don’t check them in time. A leak may lead to water damage around your home, a damp smell, and, worse, a flood.

The cost of fixing a minor leak is nothing compared to having to reconstruct a home due to a flood or replace all the furniture in your home.

A leak anywhere in your home is not normal and indicates a bigger problem. If you notice any leaks around your home, call a licensed plumber immediately to check them out.

6. Any plumber is fine

To ensure that your home has only high-quality plumbing systems, you must employ the service of a licensed plumber or plumbing services.

Evidence of a license means they are qualified for any plumbing problems you may have. You can also hold them accountable if the issue is not fixed or they create another problem.

Ensure that you employ licensed plumbers from Drain King Plumbers to fix your drainage problems.

7. You can fix the leaks yourself

Fixing minor leaks around the house requires basic plumbing knowledge. Suppose that you have this knowledge and fix the leak. In that case, it is important to call in a professional to understand why the leak happened in the first place.

You may think that you have fixed the leak, but it is possible that you’ve made matters worse because you are not a professional.

Why You Shouldn’t Believe These Myths

Believing in these plumbing myths could lead to leaks and clogs in pipes around your home. 

Leaks mean water is wasted, and your water bill will increase. Not only will you pay for water that you do not use, but you will also have to pay for the repairs of pipes in your home.

Constantly worrying about the state of your drainage systems is not something we want you to experience. So, at Drain King Plumbers, we provide 24-hour top-notch services that ensure your drainage systems are at standard and last a long time. 

To learn more about our plumbing services in Scarborough, call Drain King Plumbers at 1-833-983-5301 or visit us online.