Plumbing Myths That Cost You Money

In the age of the internet, there are many unqualified individuals giving “expert” tips. Many of these are harmless but some can cost dearly. This applies to plumbing as well. We have noticed many “tips” that can actually be bad for your plumbing system. Your friends here at Neighborhood Plumbing have put together this article to set the record straight on some of these myths. If the damage has already been done or if you simply want to hire a insured plumber, then call Neighborhood Plumbing any time to speak with a live representative. We are ready when you are.

MYTH: Putting Lemons Down the Drain to Eliminate Odors

Reality: Some people recommend putting lemons in the garbage disposal to freshen it up while others suggest pouring lemon juice or squeezing the lemon into your drains will eliminate foul odors. Sure, the overwhelming smell of lemons can suffocate the odors temporarily, but this is certainly not a long-term solution. In fact, we would not consider this a short-term solution either because the acidity of the lemon can corrode metals in the garbage disposal and pipes.

MYTH: Toilet Bowl Cleaners Are Time Savers

Reality: Again, let’s differentiate between short-term time savings and long-term time savings. Toilet bowl cleaner tablets are designed to clean your toilet with minimal effort, but these cleaners often include harsh chemicals that can damage your toilet over time. So, while it may save time in the short run, you might be looking at expensive repairs in the long run.

MYTH: Chemical Drain Cleaners Are Time Savers

Reality: We phrased this identically to the last one because the idea is the same. However, we want to especially emphasize this one. While toilet bowl cleaners only affect your toilet, chemical drain cleaners can wreak havoc on the entire plumbing system. Instead of using harsh chemical cleaners, opt for natural cleaners and enzymes. You can even schedule a routine drain cleaning by the folks at Neighborhood Plumbing.

MYTH: Ice Cubes Sharpen Garbage Disposal Blades

Reality: First of all, garbage disposals do not have blades. Rather, they have impellers that grind down waste. So, don’t take plumbing advice from any one suggesting that you can “sharpen” the garbage disposal blades with ice cubes. However, it is true that ice cubes can keep the impellers clean. Granted, the ice will likely melt before it gets in a good cleaning.

MYTH: Your Plumbing System Takes Care of Itself

Reality: The plumbing system is a network of pipes, pumps, and other components that rely on one another for the system to work as a whole, but this does NOT mean the system takes care of itself. In fact, you cannot afford to ignore the plumbing system. Schedule annual inspections to catch small issues before they turn into big headaches.

Call Neighborhood Plumbing Any Time

If you are struggling with a plumbing issue or problem, then call Neighborhood Plumbing any time to speak with a live representative. Our qualified plumbers are on standby around the clock and ready to dispatch to your location within the hour.