11 Plumbing Myths Debunked

We commonly see a lot of plumbing myths on the internet. We are here to bust them so you have accurate information. 

Myth #1: Toilets Flush in the Other Direction in Australia

A lot of people think toilets flush the opposite way in the southern hemisphere however they do not! However, cyclones do, which is why it is thought that toilets will also do that. 

Myth #2: Ice Cubes Sharpen Garbage Disposal Blades 

Garbage disposals don’t actually have blades, they have small teeth called impellers. These impellers are what grind the food down. Ice cubes do not sharpen those either. Ice cubes do clean your garbage disposal though!

Myth #3: A Brick in the Toilet Tank Will Save You Money

Some say, this allows less water in the toilet tank, which means a cheaper water bill. A brick in the toilet tank will cause your toilet to not flush correctly. To save money, get a low flow or eco friendly toilet. 

Myth #4: Hot Water Melts Grease in the Drain

While hot water will keep grease liquid for a little while, as soon as it cools down it will solidify again. All you would have done is pushed the clog down further making it harder to clear. If you are dealing with grease build up, give us at 1-Tom-Plumber a call and we will clean your drains. 

Myth #5: “Flushable” Wipes are Safe

They may say they are flushable, but they do not break down like toilet paper does. It is one of the main causes of clogs that we see. 

Myth #6: Drain Cleaners are Safe for Your Pipes

They may eat away at your clog but it is also going to eat away at your drain. This means that your drain will be weaker in spots making collapses or leaks happen easier.

Myth #7: A Water Heater Will Explode if You Hear it Rumbling

It may not explode, but it definitely needs some cleaning. It is likely caused by too much sediment in your tank and needs to be flushed

Myth #8: You can Unclog a Drain with Vinegar & Baking Soda

The fizzing reaction makes us feel like something is working, and it is but not as well as we may want it to. The vinegar and baking soda combo will make the clog move but it doesn’t clear it all the way out.

Myth #9: A Leaky Faucet Doesn’t Waste Too Much Water

It may not look like a lot of water is coming out, however it really is. The EPA says that leaks can cause up to 1 trillion gallons of water waste a year in America. The average is about 100 gallons in your own home. This can make your water bill price rise more than you think. 

Myth #10: Pipes Only Freeze if The Heat is Off

If your heat is working fine, some pipes can still freeze. Pipes in areas like basements and attics or in external walls without much insulation can still freeze if the heat is on.  Learn how to winterize your pipes here.

Myth #11: Flushing all the toilets in a sky scraper (at once) will destroy it

Thankfully the engineers are ahead of us on this one. Sky scrapers’ tend to have multiple different plumbing system to combat this.

Call 1-Tom-Plumber if You Need More Help

Don’t hesitate to contact us here or call us at 1-Tom-Plumber (1-866-758-6237) if you need a low flow toilet installed, grease cleared out of your drain or anything else plumbing related. We will immediately handle any emergency plumbing, drain cleaning and drain clearing, and water damage problem, including excavation of underground water lines and sewer main lines.