Plumbing: Dispelling The Most Common Myths

Generally speaking, most homeowners don't know a whole lot about their plumbing system. In fact, there are few modern conveniences that are more taken for granted. It happens. You simply expect that when you flip that faucet handle, flush that toilet, or drain that sink everything will work just as it is supposed to. In the meantime, you take note of what your fellow homeowners tell you are good tips and you put them into practice. Unfortunately, taking this approach to your water system could be a recipe for disaster. Here are some of the most common myths and why they could be hazardous to the health of your pipes.

Putting Lemons In The Garbage Disposal
This one gets passed around a lot. Supposedly, you can throw some lemons in your garbage disposal and it will act as a natural cleaner. Not only will the acid from the citrus eat away any of the food grime left in the blades, but it will leave a delightful smell in its wake. Unfortunately, it just isn't true. Sure, you'll get a blast of fresh, citrus air for a few minutes, but that's about all. No cleaning is being done. In fact, this is quite the opposite. The acid from the citrus can leave corrosion in its wake. This isn't much to worry about if you only did it once or twice, but if you're throwing lemons in your sink every week, you should probably stop.

You'll Know When You Have a Clog
While this is true in its most basic form, many homeowners believe they have no problems with their plumbing as long as the water is quickly swirling down the drain. This may not be the case. Clogs don't always form all at once. In fact, they usually don't. While the water may be disappearing down the drain with ease today, a problem could be brewing in your pipes that won't be apparent until later on. This is too bad, because there are things you could have been doing in the meantime to reverse the damage. This includes keeping hair, pasta, and kitchen grease out of the drain.

No Maintenance Necessary
When you're dealing with your car or other complicated bits of machinery, it goes without saying that a little maintenance is needed once in a while. Homeowners often don't believe that their plumbing system falls into the same category. Keep in mind how much work your system is doing, however, and how much you rely on its smooth operation. For all that your pipes give you, isn't it worth it to pay for maintenance once a year?