Learning how to keep your pipes and plumbing fixtures freely flowing is an essential part of being a homeowner. Unfortunately, many myths and urban legends are just waiting to steer you in the wrong direction. Several of these tips or hacks can even leave you in a worse position than you started in! Fortunately, the team here at Easy Flow Drain And Sewer can help you sort out fact from fiction.

The Top 4 Myths

The top four myths that homeowners encounter include:

  1. Lemons Can Clean A Disposal
  2. Running Water Helps The Disposal Perform
  3. Hand Soap Can Clear Drains
  4. Drains That Flow Are Clean

Myth #1: You Can Keep Your Garbage Disposal Clean With Lemons

Running a lemon skin through the disposal may make your drain smell better, but it won’t get it clean. Instead, sanitize your garbage disposal with a gentle cleanser and warm water. Before you begin, however, ensure you separate the garbage disposal from its power source. Then, add the cleaner to the unit and give it a couple of moments to work. Afterward, disconnect the system once again and scour it with a sponge or brush. Make sure to watch out for the grinding gears, as they can seriously cut up your hands.

Myth #2: Running Water While Using the Disposal Helps It Drain

Numerous homeowners and business owners assume that they can put pretty much anything down their disposal as long as they run water simultaneously. The reality, however, is that several things don’t belong in our disposal. Hard or thick foodstuffs (like banana peels and eggshells) can harm your disposal. In fact, putting the wrong things down the disposal can cause severe damage!

Myth #3: You Can Clean Plumbing Fixtures With Hand Soap

Depending on the type of fixtures you have, hand soap may damage your home’s plumbing! As hand soap is a base, it can leave stains and even eat away at certain materials. For example, gentle chemicals such as lemon quarters and powdered baking soda are a great way to clean brass fixtures. Gentle cleaners do a great job of cleaning brass while preventing tarnish. However, for germ hotspots like toilet bowls, you’ll need an effective disinfectant to kill germs and prevent infection.

Myth #4: If the Drain Clears, It Can’t Have a Clog

Flowing water is not always an indicator that all is well with your drains. Consider for a moment a slow draining sink. It still flows, and yet something is clearly wrong. From time to time, you may also notice bits of debris floating back up through your drain. While this drain may still flow, it’s definitely suffering from a serious clog that will eventually block water flow. Quit using it immediately until you have the clog removed.

Conclusions on the Four Plumbing Maintenance Myths

The four previously mentioned plumbing maintenance myths are just the tip of the plumbing problem iceberg. To learn more about the various things you should avoid putting down the drain, then please don’t hesitate to contact us here at Easy Flow Drain And Sewer! We’re always standing by to help!

If you find yourself with clogged lines in Colorado, we recommend the work of Done Plumbing. They have been the area’s experts in Aurora drain cleaning for years and we’re sure they can help you too.