Common Plumbing Myths That You Probably Don’t Know

You’ve probably heard of a number of urban legends that center around your plumbing and other components of your home, but how do you know what is real and what is not?

In order to take the best care of your home and to keep you and your family safe, you’ve got to be aware of fact vs. fiction. When it comes to your plumbing, here are the true facts behind some myths that you may have heard.

My Faucet is Leaky, but it’s Not a Big Deal

Wrong. At the very least, a leaky faucet is wasting all kinds of water, which is going to cost you extra money on your bills. At the worst, a leaky faucet is a sign of something more serious with your pipes. If it is left unchecked, your leaky pipes could be causing damage to the structure of your home, which can cost a fortune to fix.

The best advice is to get that faucet fixed as soon as possible.

Creatures Can’t Swim in My Pipes

As long as a creature (think scaly, slithering or crawling) can swim and is flexible and small enough to fit through the diameter of a pipe, then yes absolutely they can get up your pipes.

Finding an unwanted creature in your bathroom has happened to more than one startled homeowner over the years. To keep the creatures out, install a flap over the waste pipe on your toilet.

My Water Heater Won’t Explode

The T&P (temperature and pressure) valve on your water heater is what keeps your tank from exploding. It releases steam produced during the process of heating the water.

If for some reason that valve is damaged, or its airflow is blocked (i.e. you have your belongings stored too close to it) there is a real danger that it could explode, causing injury to you and destruction to your home. Make sure that nothing is preventing that valve from venting.

My Plunger is All I Need for Clogs

While your plunger is a great go-to tool for some clogs, it won’t work on everything. More stubborn clogs comprised of dense or heavy material (i.e. tree roots) won’t budge at all with the suction from a plunger. For more serious clogs, you’ll need a plumbing snake or the force of hydrojetting.

My Drains are Draining, so There’s no Clog

It’s not whether your drains are able to drain. It’s about how quickly they are draining. When you empty your sink, it should take seconds. If any of your drains are slow to empty, or if they bubble when you turn other faucets on or flush the toilet, then you’ve got the beginnings of a clog on your hands.

We have a wealth of knowledge to share with you on how to keep your plumbing flowing smoothly.  If you have questions or to schedule your appointment, in Miami, FL call us at (305)-251-7333.