Plumbing is one of those everyday things that are usually at the bottom of every homeowner’s list of concerns. However, it’s actually one of the trickiest parts of owning any property. How much knowledge do you really have about this modern-day convenience?
Most of the time, plumbing-related issues aren’t visible, so for most homeowners, they can only make a wild guess as to what could be the cause. Unfortunately, in many cases, it can already be too late for them to address the problem, which can be truly stressful and costly. Just ask your trusted plumber in Millcreek, Utah, and they would agree.
Unsurprisingly, there are many unfounded plumbing beliefs out there that could tremendously hurt property owners. Since the invention of sinks, pipes, and toilets, there have been numerous myths about plumbing that can hurt you financially.
Here, we share the truth about some of the most common plumbing myths you may have heard over the years to help you save money and avoid bigger plumbing problems in the future:
1. A plunger is an all-around tool.
While plungers can be helpful in removing some clogs, they could actually push any obstruction your system may have even further. For bigger objects that have accidentally fallen into your pipes, add a claw tool to solve the issue.
Also, do not use a plunger on the sink to clear a clog if you put some drain cleaner with strong chemical contents down your sink. Doing so may cause the drain cleaner to be pulled up, get splashed everywhere, and damage your skin.
2. A leaky faucet isn’t a serious problem.
A dripping faucet won’t necessarily flood your entire bathroom. However, when it all adds up, you may be surprised at how much you’ll have to pay on your water bills. Every time you let that faucet drip, you simultaneously lose some money.
It’s also wasteful, and you wouldn’t want to contribute to environmental problems, would you? So, ask a plumber in your town to do a thorough check of all your toilets, sinks, and bathtubs to see if there are any water leaks. In case there’s one, get it fixed right away. This could help you save up to 10 percent on your monthly water bills.
3. Water heaters do not explode.
It may be difficult to imagine, but it’s true — water heaters can actually explode. In order to prevent this from happening, both the pressure and temperature valve should be on their best working condition. With regular maintenance, you can keep everything in working order.
Some homeowners start to worry whenever they hear loud noises coming from their water heater, thinking that this could potentially mean it may explode soon. However, this rarely happens. The truth is these sounds are from the hard water sediments that have accumulated inside the tank.
To keep the buildup under control, sediment flushing and proper maintenance will do the trick. This would also help you minimize or completely get rid of the sounds while also extending the life span of your system.
So, keep all these things in mind the next time you try to diagnose your own plumbing system. What you think you know might actually be just a myth, so only let the professionals handle any plumbing-related tasks you have at home.
