Although most people know that any plumbing work requires a professional, you’d be surprised by how many people attempt to take care of problems themselves. And, as you’d expect, more often than not, small problems become much larger ones. This is largely due to the abundance of myths surrounding plumbing in the home and people’s willingness to test them out. Read on for the four most common plumbing myths, and why these are ineffective.
Clean Your Taps and Fixtures with Soap – According to this myth, it’s easy to just use soap when cleaning plumbing fixtures. However, while soap can make your taps and sink shine, you may be causing more harm than good. When used to clean plumbing fixtures, soap can damage the surface of materials. Cleaning tips include:
Toilet Bowls and Sinks – Clean with strong disinfectant to prevent germs
Taps – Polish with a solution of lemon and baking soda
Dispose of Wet Wipes by Flushing Them – A startlingly common reason plumbers are called to handle blockages is Wet Wipes have been disposed of improperly. Unlike toilet paper, Wet Wipes are not bio-degradable. This means, when flushed, they can pile up in your toilet’s drainage system causing a major blockage.
The Drain Works Perfectly – Water is Draining Quickly and Efficiently – Contrary to popular belief, blockages rarely occur out of nowhere. They are generally the result of a long term build-up of material inside the pipes. However, this may not always be obvious, as water may appear to flow as normal. The best way to prevent blockages is to use a drain filter regularly, to ensure no hair or non-perishable items go down the drain.
Toilet Cistern Cleaners Will Keep the Toilet Clean – It is a commonly held belief that placing coloured bleach tablets in the toilet cistern will keep it clean. Unfortunately, this can do more harm than good. While bleach tablets mean you don’t have to clean the toilet as often, as the dissolve, they create a slow build-up which can block your cistern.
A cheap, effective alternative is vinegar. Vinegar helps remove the build-up and clogs which can compromise your toilet’s flow, and is a fraction of the price of bleach tablets.
Next time you notice something is not quite right with your plumbing, don’t fall victim to these harmful myths. At the first sign of trouble, call the friendly team at Curran Plumbing. Whether the problem is big or small, our expert team have the skills and knowledge to have your sinks, pipes and drains working like new.
