There’s a lot of misinformation when it comes to plumbing, and unfortunately, receiving the wrong advice can lead to costly repairs. Whether it’s about what you can flush, how to maintain your drains, or the best way to handle emergencies, many common plumbing myths cause more harm than good. Understanding what you can and can’t do will help you and your home in the long run.

Flushing Wipes is Fine Because They’re ‘Flushable’

One of the most widely known and ignored plumbing myths is whether you can use flushable wipes. You can buy and use them, but it is highly recommended that you do not flush them down the toilet. They don’t break down like toilet paper, so they can cause many issues in your system, such as clogs, backups, and massive sewer blockages known as “fatbergs.” When it comes to toilets, only flush human waste and toilet paper. 

Hot Water Melts Grease and Prevents Clogs

While hot water can liquefy grease — it is only temporary. Once it cools in the pipes, it solidifies and creates potential clogs. What about boiling water?  Boiling water is also dangerous as it can harden the grease already in your pipes.  Instead of pouring grease down the drain, let it cool and dispose of it in the garbage.

Ice Cubes Sharpen Garbage Disposal Blades

One of the biggest plumbing myths involves ice cubes. Contrary to popular belief, ice cubes don’t sharpen the blades of your garbage disposal as your disposal doesn’t actually have blades but blunt impellers that spin around, which don’t need sharpening.  Ice cubes can remove built-up gunk on the impellers, but make sure you don’t put ice down your sink constantly or they can damage the disposal system. 

A Brick in the Toilet Tank Saves Water

This myth has been around for many years and claims that putting a brick in the take of your toilet will reduce water consumption and save you money. While it may save a very small amount of water, it can lead to long-term costly plumbing issues. A brick will deteriorate over time, potentially ruining the toilet’s internal flushing mechanism and plumbing lines. If you want to be conscious about the amount of water you use, you can switch to a low-flow toilet. 

Lemons Will Clean Your Garbage Disposal

Lemon peels may make your garbage disposal smell fresh, but they don’t actually clean it. Large peels may also strain your system, clogging or breaking it, and the citric acid can corrode the metal parts over time. You should also avoid putting other peels in the disposal, including grapefruit, orange, lime, banana, and potato peels. 

Chemical Drain Cleaners are Safe

Many drain cleaners can help loosen clogs, but they can cause issues over time. Because these cleaners contain harsh chemicals, they are powerful enough to damage your pipes and the materials surrounding your sink, bathtub, or toilet. If you have a clogged drain, try removing it with a mixture of boiling water, vinegar, and baking soda. If you still have issues, it’s best to call a professional plumber. 

A Slow Leak is No Big Deal

You may not think a dripping faucet or a slow leak is a major issue, but even a small leak can waste thousands of gallons of water over time, leading to a high water bill and even mold and mildew growth. Fixing leaks early can save you money and prevent bigger plumbing headaches.

A Water Heater Will Explode If You Hear Popping Sounds

A water heater gurgles and bubbles due to sediment that has collected in the tank. These loose minerals (mostly calcium) sink to the bottom of the tank where the heating element sits. When the burner turns on, the sediment causes air bubbles which make popping sounds. This isn’t dangerous, but it can affect how efficient your water heater is. 

A Plunger Can Fix Any Clog

Plungers work well to remove minor clogs, but they can sometimes make a small issue even worse. Most are not designed to handle stubborn clogs or big blockages. You should also never use a plunger if your toilet is on the brink of overflowing.

You should also use the correct type of plunger as there are different types for sinks and toilets. A standard plunger is best for sinks and an accordion plunger is best for toilets. A flange plunger works for any drain.

Know the Facts About Plumbing

Plumbing myths can lead to bad habits that damage your pipes, appliances, and wallet. By knowing the facts, you can keep your home’s plumbing system running smoothly and avoid costly repairs. If you ever have doubts about your plumbing, — consult a professional.

Maybe you’re enjoying a skiing trip with your family or you escaped to a warmer climate and plan to have fruity drinks on the beach. Wherever your winter vacation destination is, the ideal trip is one where you can leave behind any worries at home.

No one wants the nightmare of coming home to maintenance problems in your home after a relaxing trip. Avoid the concern of having frozen and burst pipes by taking a few extra steps before you leave for vacation.

1. Turn Off Water

Especially for longer trips where there won’t be any water flow through your pipes for a while, it’s best to fully shut off the main water line in your home until you return. Identify where the water valve is in your home and securely shut it off right before you leave for your winter vacation.

2. Drain Pipes

If you turn off the water supply in your home, ensure that you also drain all the pipes to remove potential water. Any plumbing that has exposed outdoor pipes can freeze if there is any leftover water sitting.

3. Open Cabinets

Before your winter vacation, open up the cabinets underneath your kitchen, laundry, and bathroom sinks. Though this may seem like an odd step, it can help warm air to circulate your indoor plumbing, preventing freezing.

4. Keep Heat Running

Though some families like to lower the temperature in their house or fully turn off the heating before they leave on a vacation, it’s best to maintain a reasonable internal temperature during the winter. Setting the thermostat to above 55°F (13°C) will help keep the plumbing at a warm enough temperature that you won’t have to worry about coming back to frozen pipes.

5. Insulate Pipes

Another trick for winter vacation preparation is to insulate your pipes before heading out the door. Any exposed pipes could benefit from some insulation, like foam wrapping, heated cables, or heat tape, which can keep your pipes warm enough to minimize freezing.

6. Adjust Water Heater

If you plan to be gone for a short period of time, then it may be beneficial to put your water heater to “vacation mode”, which lowers the heating temperature and saves energy. If you plan to have a longer winter vacation, you may want to consider shutting off the water heater completely. This is also a good idea if you plan to turn off the main water supply.

7. Check for Leaks

Any unknown leaks in your plumbing system can be extremely problematic if left unattended. Before you leave for your winter vacation, check for leaks and cracks behind appliances, around toilets, and under sinks to ensure a relaxing return home. If you do find any problems, seal cracks and drips to prevent water damage.

8. Ask a Friend to Check In

While you are gone, it might be a good idea to have a friend or neighbor occasionally check in on your home to make sure there are no problems. Especially for longer trips when you won’t be able to keep an eye on the property for a while, it’s helpful to ask someone to house sit and make you aware if any plumbing issues arise.

9. If Needed, Drip Faucets

For shorter trips, like over the weekend, you may benefit from simply dripping your faucets. Having a little bit of running water through pipes, especially those that are exposed, can prevent freezing and bursting pipes. Turn any faucets to occasionally drip before you leave on your vacation.

10. Clean Drains

If unused for a period of time, drains can clog, dry out, or produce odors. To avoid coming home to an unpleasant smell in your home, give your drains a good clean. A simple solution is to do a once over with vinegar and baking soda to break down anything stuck in the drains. If any drains are seldom used, it may be beneficial to pour a small amount of vegetable oil down the drain to prevent drying out.

Kick Back & Relax

Though you can do your best to prep your plumbing for vacation mode, it’s especially helpful to know that you have someone who can help even if something does go wrong. At S&B Plumbing, we offer 24/7 plumbing assistance so even burst pipes and frozen water lines have no chance at ruining your winter vacation. Give us a call or fill out our online form to let us know how we can help give you peace of mind.

Winter is a magically beautiful season, but it might not be the favorite for your plumbing. In order to protect your home from the impact of harsh and cold elements, you should ensure that you winter-proof your plumbing.

“Winter-proofing”, or winterizing, refers to the preparation of your pipes, plumbing, and other home fixtures to ensure that they are not impacted by the freezing temperatures. Making your home weather-resistant can be extremely beneficial, as it extends the lifespan of appliances and fixtures in your home, prevents expensive repairs, and keeps your home safe and comfortable.

1. Space Heaters

A helpful way to keep your home comfortable and ensure your pipes don’t freeze is to safely place space heaters around your home. Some areas, like laundry rooms, garages, closets, or basements, may be more prone to freezing, running the risk of frozen pipes and bursting. Even small space heaters can do the trick to provide warmth and winter-proof the room.

2. Know How To Shut Off Water

Though hopefully you won’t need to use the information, it’s best to be prepared in case of an emergency, like frozen pipes. You should ensure you know where to locate the main water shutoff valve. If any pipes freeze, you will need to immediately shut off the water to prevent bursting and damage.

3. Disconnect Outdoor Hoses

Unless you have insulated faucet covers, you should disconnect and fully drain any outdoor hoses. If water sits in the hose in freezing conditions, it could not only ruin the hose but the pipes. A helpful way to winter-proof your pipes and ensure your hose is in working condition by springtime is by disconnecting them during the winter. You will also want to put covers over any faucets or garden spigots to protect them from the frost.

4. Seal Gaps

If there are any gaps around pipes entering your homes, this could let in drafts. Drafts will not only make your home cold and unnecessarily increase your heating bill, but the cold air can lead the pipes to freeze. To winter-proof these areas, fill in any gaps with caulking or spray foam to ensure that the area is sealed.

5. Let Faucets Drip

Any faucets that have exposed outdoor pipes are more likely to freeze, causing bursting that will need expensive repairs. To winter-proof these faucets, it’s best to allow a small amount of water to drip through; running water can help prevent freezing.

Turn the handle the slightest bit to allow for a couple drops of water to come through every minute while the faucet is not actively in use. This is also a helpful trick for when you know you will be gone for multiple days and can’t monitor the pipes for freezing.

6. Insulate Pipes

A helpful and effective way to winter-proof your home is by insulating your pipes, especially those that are exposed to the elements or in freezing temperatures. By wrapping the plumbing in foam insulation, heat tape, or heating cables, you can keep the pipes warm enough to minimize freezing and give yourself peace of mind when the temperature drops.

7. Keep Heat On

Though most people crank up the heater during winter months anyways, this is actually a great winter-proofing technique. If the interior temperature of a home gets too cold, then this can cause even the inside pipes to freeze.

Some families will lower the internal temperature of their home while they are on vacation to lower their utility bills. But keeping your indoor temperature above 55°F (13°C) and opening up cabinets for circulation will prevent the risk of coming home to an unpleasant plumbing situation.

Plumbing Maintenance

Though these are all effective ways to DIY a winter-proofed home, you may sometimes need to call professional plumbing services. Regular maintenance, emergency repairs, and more personalized advice is always available from our 24 hour plumbers at S&B Plumbing. We specialize in providing excellent plumbing services that help keep your home in tip-top shape, even throughout the cold winter months.

If you have frozen pipes, pipe bursting, or need help maintaining your plumbing in the winter, don’t wait! Give us a call at (385) 339-0315 or fill out our contact form.