There indeed are plenty of tips and tricks in keeping your pipes and drains in good condition. Some are professionally certified while a few of what we know are old-wives’ tales that we continue to do up until this day.
Little do we know, some of these so-called tips are actually causing more damage to our drains and pipes, and do not help avoid future problems and costs. These tips are actually myths that we have grown accustomed to and are actually giving us a false sense of security. Here are some of those myths that we normally do at home.
MYTH #1: USE LEMONS TO FRESHEN UP YOUR GARBAGE DISPOSAL
Lemons may help improve the smell for a time being, but the acid inside of lemons can corrode the metal inside your garbage disposal. Try throwing in eggshells instead; they clean your disposal blades with very minimal effort.
MTYH #2: FLUSHABLE WIPES CAN BE FLUSHED
Not true. In fact, flushable wipes, like baby wipes, are the number 1 cause of blocked drains. Avoid other seemingly “flushable” items, such as paper towels and feminine hygiene products. Even if they look flushable, you may want to check out their specifications first and assess if it can really be dissolved easily. If not, then those have to go to the trash bin.
MYTH #3: ADDING BOILING WATER TO GREASE TO HELP IT GO DOWN THE SINK
Water and grease don’t go together, even if the water is hot. Water will never help in pushing the grease through into the pipes. Grease, in the first place, should never be allowed to go down your drain. It will eventually clog and cause more trouble. It is also advisable to use a grease trap in your kitchen sink to ensure that no grease will escape to your pipes.
MYTH #4: USING SOAP TO CLEAN BATHROOM FIXTURES
Soap, on the contrary, actually corrodes your fixtures. You may just want to regularly wipe your bathroom fixtures to clean them without using soap.
MYTH #5: USING IN-TANK TOILET CLEANERS
You may even see ads on TV selling these cleaners as great alternatives to easily clean your toilets. In reality, these in-tank cleaners will only bleach the build-ups instead of getting rid of it. The best way to clean your toilet tanks will be to use vinegar into the overflow tube. It’s natural too.
MYTH #6: ANYTHING THAT GOES DOWN THE DRAIN IS OKAY
Newsflash: it’s not okay. Not everything that goes down the drain is safe. It may cause clogs and build-up over time, and when that happens, bigger problems arise. Food, hair, tissue, grease, and other trash may fit into the drains but does not necessarily mean that they should go down there. The best place for these is in trash bins.
MYTH #7: ALL PLUMBERS ARE THE SAME
This is a very common misconception. We think that all professional plumbers are the same, but actually, they are not. They have different areas of specialisation and expertise, which is why it is important to check their license and background first before hiring. Before you call a 24 hour emergency plumbing company, better make sure of what service you need so they will send you the right guy for the job.
Which of these myths are you using up to this day? It’s high time you debunk them if you want to save money and hassles in the future.
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