5 Common Plumbing Myths

Common Plumbing Myths

As a homeowner you want to know the basics of maintaining your plumbing, and there are a number of myths out there that many people take as the Gospel truth. Certain practices can have dire consequences for your plumbing, so read on and digest these five common plumbing myths.

Plumbing Myth 1: You can save money by doing it yourself

Fact: The majority of private and commercial customers who go down the DIY route and try to fix issues themselves more often than not end up causing significantly more damage than was originally there. The average cost of a job where someone inexperienced has tried this approach is way higher than a standard repair quote. Don’t do it! Call a reputable plumber like Absolute Precision Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, and save the extra hassle and costs.

Plumbing Myth 2: Buying cheaper generic parts will save you money

Fact: There are a multitude of vendors throughout the world who will sell you a cheap replacement part. They may even offer ten year or lifetime guarantees so it seems a good deal initially. It is not! Long warranties are no guarantee of a quality part. These manufacturers know that you are unlikely to claim on the warranty simply because it is an inexpensive part. The real cost comes from the labor involved in replacing the part. Talk to a qualified plumber first – feel free to mention the cheap part you have found but listen to their professional advice before buying it.

Plumbing Myth 3: If it goes down the drain and I can’t see it, there’s no issue with clogging

Fact: Even though the drains or the garbage disposal seems to be fine, every single fragment of waste that goes down there has the potential to clog up the whole pipe. An early warning sign is a slow moving disposal or noticing the waste fragments remaining on the discharge pipe. Stop using it immediately and call out a professional plumber.

Plumbing Myth 4: Plumbing fixtures can be cleaned perfectly well with hand soap and water

Fact: Soap is caustic by nature and can cause real damage in the form of corrosion to your beautiful brass, chrome or steel fittings. Use only approved cleaning products for your fixtures – brass in particular requires a very gentle cleaning product like lemon or baking soda.

Plumbing Myth 5: Plumbing fixtures don’t need much maintenance

Fact: Lack of basic maintenance is the single biggest factor in having plumbing problems. Pipes need periodic inspection to check for blockages, tree roots or shifting home foundations, sewer cleanouts need checking for obstructions. These small issues can very quickly add up to a huge repair bill if you don’t keep on top of them.

For more information about plumbing myths, contact us at Absolute Precision Plumbing, Heating & Cooling today.

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