Yes, there are so many sources for information when it comes to DIY fixes for the home – including information on pipework and drainage systems. However, the ones that include anything about plumbing are costly at best and physically harmful at worst. No matter the outcome, however, these two undesirable consequences should be avoided, not only to save your pocket from its inevitable lightness but to safeguard you and your family members as well.
Just a couple of years back, a group of workers accidentally set fire to an apartment complex that robbed over 1000 people of their homes. Although the fire started accidentally and no lives were taken (check it out), many people lost their belongings and a place to stay. This incident serves as a glaring reminder of the importance of partnering up with professional plumbing companies and choosing those that uphold safety and quality work above all.
Myth #1: Lemons Clean And Freshen Up Your Disposal
We get it; sometimes, your disposal can have an unwanted smell that can get more pungent as time passes by. And as many dishwashing and cleanser products market, lemon is the scent to combat this pungent smell of spoilt food and sewage. However, dumping a bunch of lemon-scented dishwashing liquid is neither economical nor reasonable in any way, so the myth of using real-life, natural lemons as a replacement came to be.
It’s not as effective as you might the first time, however. It may address the problem of the pungent smell, but the severe acidity of the lemons can corrode your metal pipes faster than usual. Citric acid (link: https://www.chemicalsafetyfacts.org/citric-acid/) is the substance responsible for the corrosion that takes place. This corrosion does not happen overnight. Rather, long-term exposure to the substance, especially in regards to metals, is needed for it to happen.
Myth #2: In-Tank Cleaners Will Save Your Time Scrubbing The Toilet
Maybe one of the most popular housewife myths out there, In-tank Cleaners, may seem legit at first. It IS a commercially marketed product for the masses. Why wouldn’t it be something practical and easy to use? Indeed, it’s something practical and maybe even nifty to some, but behind the scenes, it creates more problems for you to deal with in the future.
What these “cleaners” do is bleaching build-up into white debris to make it seem like your toilet is clean and white. It also eliminates any pungent smell present, great! But this build-up can clog your pipes and ruin your toilet. When that happens, you’ll need to call local Plumbers, like Tropical Coast Plumbing Mackay, to solve the clogging problem. Anyone other than professionals will only worsen the situation.
You can say this myth is one of the “costly” ones, which is the best-case scenario most of the time. Instead of the costly chemical products, you usually go for, use vinegar. For a fraction of a cost, vinegar can already loosen the smelly build-up, neutralize the smell, and help remove discoloration in a natural way.
Myth #3: Clogged Pipes Only Appear As Malfunctioned Drains
They say the human body works the same as your drainage pipe. Most people will assume their bodies are still healthy and fit as long as they can go about their activity with nothing notable getting in the way. When their body breaks down, and symptoms arise, then they start to consider their body might be in a more dire state than they anticipated. The reality is that diseases often show themselves as symptoms when it’s already too late to treat them.
It’s the same for your pipes. Just because everything seems to be going down without a hitch doesn’t mean they’re in tip-top shape. That’s what maintenance is for, not just to fix and repair, but to make sure the integrity of pipes, gas lines, and other plumbing needs are still in a usable state. Otherwise, the lines will need to be removed and replaced with new ones to avoid any accidents.
Myth #4: Water Pressure Regulators Are Dependable Enough
A water pressure regulator works as the neutralizer between the city’s main water work and your own household pipes. This is a very important part of your plumbing and should be a must-have and need in every home. It basically lessens the pressure of the water coming from the main waterworks towards your home, so your smaller, less versatile pipes to avoid them from bursting.
Very essential, right? However, not every essential thing needs our 100% trust. It is still advisable to check on the pressure of your water personally, once in a while. High water pressure can cause floods and leaks and sometimes contribute to your high-water bill.
How will you know if it’s time to change your water valve? Simple enough, consider these steps the next time you go out and assess them:
- Pipe Leaks – Although other elements can also play with this circumstance, such as weak, cheap pipes or improper installation, most of the time, it’s the high pressure of water that causes pipe leaks. This means your valve is failing to address the one thing it was made to do and needs immediate change.
- Faucet Leaks – Have you ever experienced using the faucet, and after closing it, you find consistent dripping of water from its opening or even from the handle? This can already be a sure sign your water’s pressure has changed, and your valve is the one to blame.
- Noises From Your Pipes – Pipelines aren’t supposed to have sounds while in use. It should be as silent as the dead when you aren’t using the toilet or the sink. If it’s the contrary, the pressure might be building up in your pipes, which can be both dangerous and problematic.
Myth #5: Invest Little In Plumbing Fixtures Because They’re Sturdy
Over time, even the sturdiest fixtures corrode and get broken one way or another. This is because they are in use, and anything in use wears down and eventually stops living up to their purpose. On the other hand, if fixtures such as water heaters go unused for long periods of time, they can gather up toxic gas, which is detrimental to your health.
The bottom line is this: maintain your fixtures just as you would any other installation and appliance, and use them for their purpose as often as possible. Don’t be afraid to wear them down. You bought them to be used in the first place.
