Plumbing Myths That Will Cost You Money

We’ve all heard plenty of tips and tricks about keeping our plumbing in top shape. But how many of these tips or so-called “conventional wisdom” actually work? Here are some popular myths about plumbing that could actually cost you money.

• 1. Lemons will freshen up your garbage disposal. While it’s true that putting lemons down there might make it smell a little better for a short time, ice is a better alternative because the acid that’s inside of lemons can corrode the metal inside the garbage disposal.
• 2. In-tank toilet cleaners are a good idea. In reality, they just bleach the build-up instead of getting rid of it, so put vinegar into the overflow tube instead to get rid of it.
• 3. The drain’s working perfectly if things go down it. Once again, this isn’t true. Blockages don’t occur all at once. It takes time for things to build up inside the pipes. Make sure you’re treating your drains well by using hair catchers over the shower drain and filling the basin with water before you drain it.
• 4. You can trust the water pressure regulator. Not necessarily. While you can get vital information about the water pressure in your home by looking at it, you’re much better off by checking it yourself. If the water pressure gets too high, it could cakes flooding, leaks, or even a running toilet.
• 5. Soap is a good cleaner for your bathroom fixtures. No, on the contrary, did you know soap actually corrodes these fixtures? Instead of leaving the soap on them, take a moment to wipe them off so that they don’t corrode.
• 6. You don’t need to even think about your plumbing fixtures. Actually you can’t afford not to think about those plumbing fixtures once in a while. If the p-trap is allowed to evaporate, sewer gas could stink up your home and create a health hazard. Also if you don’t use your electric water heater, hydrogen gas could be created. The bottom line is that you need to use your plumbing fixtures regularly. At the very least, take the time to turn them on once in a while.

You don’t have to navigate owning your own home alone: let us help! Especially with plumbing, it can be a terrifying adventure when you aren’t sure that what you’re doing is right. Trust us–it’s easier to give us a call before the problem starts than it is in three feet of flood water from a burst pipe.

If you are looking for a plumber in The Woodlands, Tomball, Houston, Spring or surrounding areas call us at (281) 351-6661 or contact us online to get your plumbing problem taken care of quickly. We have 24 hour service 7 days a week and there are no special charges for after- hours calls.