Every industry has its myths, and plumbing is no exception. Debunking these myths is important because a properly maintained plumbing system distributes clean water, removes waste, and is at the heart of preventing waterborne diseases. Separating fact from fiction can help you preserve the integrity of your plumbing system and the well-being of those in your home.
Myth 1: Vinegar and Baking Soda Can Clean a Drain
One popular myth that people commonly believe is that using baking soda and vinegar is an effective way to unclog drains. But does this work?
First, you must consider what happens when you mix baking soda and vinegar. Vinegar and baking soda are caustic. In fact, they can dissolve materials that most people would not think they could dissolve.
When vinegar and baking soda are poured down the drain, the carbon dioxide causes the vinegar to vaporize and form bubbles. Theoretically, the bubbles break up the clog, and the drain is clear. However, once this happens, the vinegar is gone, and the bubbles dissipate. The drain just clogs up again. This is because carbon dioxide does not do a good job of removing grease and grime buildup. These are the main culprits behind clogged drains. Vinegar and baking soda do a great job of cleaning certain surfaces, but they don’t do a good job of getting rid of clogged drains.
The baking soda vinegar mixture can create a chemical reaction that can damage certain materials in the drain. When you mix vinegar and baking soda, you’re causing the drain’s materials to corrode. The rubber and plastic in your drains can be eaten away by the mixture, and with continual use, the rubber and plastic will break down, leading to bigger blockages.
Myth 2: There Is Such a Thing as Flushable Wipes
Some plumbers comment that they love flushable wipes. They result in a steady flow of work for plumbers fixing clogged drains. At the same time, these plumbers would not suggest that homeowners flush them down the toilet.
Marketing teams brand certain wipes as “flushable.” And they’re not completely lying. Wipes made with cotton fibers and polyethylene fibers are known as flushable, but there is a caveat. Polyethylene can degrade over time, but they are not biodegradable in the sense that it would warrant getting flushed down the toilet. Cotton microfiber materials are more biodegradable but can also lead to clogs and wreak havoc on a plumbing system.
Some mistakenly think that if toilet paper is flushable, then cotton balls and paper towels must also be flushable. But the reality is that they don’t break down easily and eventually cause clogs. The best option is to throw them away.
This is even true for those living in large apartment buildings with a commercial plumbing system. Even these commercial plumbing systems have not been built to handle flushable wipes.
The pipes are usually networked in a large complex like an apartment building. When one resident flushes something down the toilet, he uses the same pipes as all the neighbors. If something is flushed down the toilet that shouldn’t go down there, it can create a clog that will back up the entire system, primarily affecting residents on the first floor.
Myth 3: Put a Brick in the Toilet to Save Water
While some people believe that placing a brick in the toilet tank can save water, it may indeed reduce the amount of water used per flush. However, this method can have negative consequences for the toilet’s performance.
Toilets are specifically designed to use a certain amount of water to create the necessary hydraulic action. Introducing a brick into the tank can disrupt this balance and adversely affect the toilet’s efficiency. Moreover, certain bricks may deteriorate over time when exposed to water, resulting in sediment collection that could clog the toilet with tiny concrete, clay, or sand particles.
For those looking to reduce their water bills, more effective and safer options are available. Many toilet brands allow for the replacement of the tank assembly, and various toilet kits are designed to convert older, water-intensive toilets into higher efficiency or dual flush models. Consult with the plumbers at Davis & Green to explore safer alternatives for enhancing your toilet’s water efficiency.
Myth 4: Hot Water Can Wash Grease Down the Drain
Let’s get one thing straight: pouring grease down the drain is never acceptable. If you do this, you’re going to create a major plumbing problem that can impact the entire sewer system in your home. Grease causes clogs and backups; over time, it will clog pipes. This will prevent the water from smoothly flowing through the drain.
It’s understandable for people to think that hot water will melt any grease buildup in the drain and carry it safely through the plumbing system. Unfortunately, this is not how things work. Once the liquefied grease travels further down the drain, it will cool and solidify. Pouring a little bit of bacon grease down the drain at one time probably won’t cause a clog. But repeatedly dumping grease down the drain will. It’s best to use a heatproof container to collect grease and throw it away when the trash is full.
Myth 5: Putting Any Food Down the Garbage Disposal is Fine
While a reliable garbage disposal can simplify your life by effortlessly disposing of food scraps, it’s a common misconception that you can treat it like a regular garbage can. Improper use can lead to significant plumbing issues.
Despite appearing finely ground, coffee grounds should never be disposed of in the garbage disposal. They are densely packed and form a paste-like consistency, contributing to sediment buildup in the drain and increasing the risk of clogs.
Similarly, foods like bread, pasta, and rice, which absorb water and expand, can easily lead to drain clogs. While small amounts may be processed with caution, it’s not advisable to make a habit of it. The same caution applies to oats and other water-absorbing grains.
Onion layers pose a risk to garbage disposals. While chopped onions can go down the disposal, the outermost layer with a membrane may bypass the grinder blades, wrap around the disposal, get wedged in the drain, and create a trap for other items. Additionally, avoid putting animal bones, shells, nuts, eggshells, stringy fruits and vegetables, potato peels, and oil, grease, or fat down the garbage disposal to prevent potential issues.
Myth 6: A Leaky Faucet Is Not That Big of a Problem
It’s easy to ignore a slowly dripping faucet. But even a tiny leak increases your water bill and harms the environment. It’s estimated that household leaks waste over a trillion gallons of water every year across the country. That is the equivalent of the annual household water usage for more than 11 million homes.
Something else to think about is that when the faucet starts to drip, it can wear out the faucet, stain plumbing, and lead to costly repairs or total replacements. Plumbing issues like a leaky faucet that seem minor will get bigger over time if they go unchecked, turn to us for plumbing solutions.
Proudly Serving Richmond, Virginia, Since 1984
Davis & Green has grown to become one of the most trusted names in HVAC, electrical, and plumbing in Richmond, Virginia. We are committed to improving lives one home at a time and are focused on honesty and incredible customer service.
Our services include HVAC installation, maintenance, and repair. We install heat pumps, boilers, water heaters, and tankless water heaters. We offer drain cleaning and repair and perform repair and leak detection. We install sump pumps and provide electric repair, including whole-home rewiring. Contact Davis & Green today and see what it’s like to work with a team that focuses on honesty and incredible customer service.
