4 Common Plumbing Myths, Debunked

Plumbing is an essential part of households. It is a system that uses pipes, valves, plumbing fixtures and other apparatuses to transport fluids. There are a number of plumbing misconceptions, as well as myths about plumbers, that have been swirling around since the invention of sinks and toilets that may end up costing you a lot of money.

1. It is safe to flush wet wipes if they claim to be flushable. A lot of brands advertise their personal hygiene wipes as flushable, completely flushable or able-to-be flushed. Even though some wipes may start to break down after flushing, doing it too many times can create a stubborn clog in your pipes. There is not enough leeway for each sheet to disintegrate if you flush several ones too frequently in a day. Professional plumbers have the equipment to remove a clog that is within a pipe.

2. You may clean and deodorize your garbage disposal with lemon peels. Lemon is an abundant source of citric acid, and dropping peels of the fruit into the garbage disposal may cause corrosion. As much as possible, avoid letting vegetable peelings or fruit peels, including lemon and lime, get into your garbage disposal. This trend started in hopes of freshening the kitchen or getting rid of smelly water with that citrus smell, but it can lead to more problems in the future if you are not careful.

3. It is safe to use a plunger on a clogged sink. This is not entirely true. If you pour a chemical-filled cleaner down a sink drain to get rid of a clog, you should avoid using a plunger on the sink. Plunging the sink can suck up the drain cleaner up out of the pipe and cause it to splash and burn your skin. It is a good idea to call a plumber to efficiently do the job.

4. It is acceptable to pour hot grease down your sink because it is a liquid. Hot grease can build up on the inside of your pipes causing clogs. It is best to clean the grease out of your frying pans and throw it separately into the garbage can.

RainSoft of NE Iowa is a leading source of top-quality plumbing services and home water treatment processes, such as reverse osmosis and nitrate reduction. Call us at (319) 233-2038, or fill out our contact form to set up an appointment. We look forward to working with you!