BUSTING MOST COMMON PLUMBING MYTHS - Blue Ribbon Plumbing

We may never know where it all started but the fact remains that a rumor, whether it is a “she said” or “he said” story can easily make a plumbing misconception a plumbing reality.

Provided below are some of the most common plumbing myths and the reality behind all of them according to professional plumbers.

Water Heater Is About To Explode

You are in your living room just sitting around and relaxing on a quiet evening when suddenly your water heater starts. You hear a loud banging and rumbling sound. A lot of homeowners who encounter this are often afraid, thinking that their water heater will explode.

The reality is that the sound you are hearing is caused by sediment that has accumulated in the tank. It is made of loose minerals, the majority of which is calcium, from hard water. It goes to the spot where the heating element is found and that is at the bottom of the tank. Once the burner is switched on for water heating purposes, the sediment hinders the heat from properly rising and the expansion of the bubbles created is the cause of the noise.

A Leaky Faucet Is Not A Problem

Numerous homeowners consider a leaky faucet as just a drip and do not need fixing. Always remember that leaks are a big deal. It can cause you a lot of cash and negatively affects the environment. The Environmental Protection Agency said that 1 trillion gallons of water are wasted annually because of household leaks. That is equal to the total amount of water used by more than 11 million homes every year.

A single leaky faucet can result in higher water bills as well as water shortages in other parts of the country. Another thing to consider is that a leak can wear out the faucet and stain the fixtures, which means you may have to spend more cash on Myrtle Beach plumbing repairs or plumbing replacements. If you notice any sign of leaks, be sure to have it fixed as soon as you can.

Other Plumbing Lore

Many people believe that ice cubes can sharpen the blades of a garbage disposal unit. This is not true. However, the ice cubes can clean the blades. If you notice that your sink is beginning to smell, you can use ice cubes to get rid of the stench. There are also those who believe that dropping lemon peels down the disposal unit will give it a nice scent. Although this may be true, lemon peels can clog the drain and lead to expensive repairs by a plumbing contractor from Blue Ribbon Plumbing. As an alternative, you can try pouring white vinegar into the drain. It has natural cleansing properties and it will clean up your disposal without having to worry about clogs.

A few homeowners believe that putting a brick at the rear of the toilet tank will help save water. Always remember that bricks deteriorate as time passes by and may cause other problems. Your intention of saving water can backfire and too much water is displaced, therefore, requiring you to flush twice.