Have you heard of these magical solutions to your plumbing problems? We don’t know where they came from originally but you might find it helpful to dispel the top 4 myths in plumbing. In fact, you may avoid more complicated problems when you learn the truth!
- Lemons Clean Your Garbage Disposal: While lemons can make the disposal smell better temporarily, the citric acid from lemons can actually corrode the metal parts inside. It’s better to use safe cleaning products designed for garbage disposal.
- Running Water Helps With Disposal of Waste in the Sink: People often think that running water will help flush down waste through the garbage disposal. However, running water doesn’t prevent clogs and can’t handle large amounts or certain types of waste, such as oils and fibrous vegetables, which should not go down the disposal at all.
- In-Tank Toilet Cleaners Keep the Toilet Clean All the Time: Those blue cleaning tablets might keep the toilet bowl looking clean, but they often contain chemicals that can wear down the working parts inside the toilet tank. Over time, this can lead to leaks and other costly repairs.
- Plungers Fix All Clogs: While plungers can be effective for simple clogs in toilets and drains, they are not a cure-all solution. Some blockages are too deep or severe for a plunger to handle, requiring professional tools and techniques.
For us, the one we stuck to the longest was #2, running water in the disposal while it’s on. This is a common practice which makes sense to help flush debris which should go down the drain but it’s not a fix for everything… and it’s most important to avoid damaging oils and fibers in your garbage disposal at all times.
