List of General Plumbing Myths

myth-or-factList of General Plumbing Myths

Homeowners, both existing and new, may not have access to true or efficient information to correctly deal with most plumbing emergencies that may arise in a home.

There are plenty of general plumbing myths online, and the following list will break down these myths into true facts for any homeowner to be better prepared to deal with plumbing related situations:

Plungers Can Fix Any Clog

Plungers are only effective at disturbing and removing minor clogs that are located close to the surface of a drain. Moderate and major clogs located anywhere in a pipeline, or even minor clogs that are deep within a drain, are best dealt with by professionals.

Only expert plumbers are equipped with the correct materials and tools to locate and remove any obstruction at any point of a plumbing system.

If Water is Draining, The Line is Not Clogged

There are other signs then water backing up which demonstrate that there is a blockage somewhere within a plumbing system, including the following:

  • A drain is emitting a foul smell from within.
  • Water is draining unusually slowly.
  • There is a water back-up in a line somewhere in a house. Check the bathtub and basement drains regularly.

Upon discovering any of these symptoms in a drain, contact a plumber. This is especially important if you do not directly know where the clog is, since the obstruction may be located in the main line which can cause damage to multiple pipes, rather than just one.

A Leaky Faucet Isn’t a Big Dealleaking-faucet

Leaky faucets can quickly waste $20 worth of water if the leak is steady. When you come across a leaky faucet or tap, attempt to tighten the washer to once again create the watertight seal a faucet needs to hold back water.

Since water enters buildings under pressures, taps and faucets must be able to hold a watertight seal in order to prevent leaks. If the leak is recurring or is not solved upon tightening the washers, get a plumber to come and take a look at the leak and either repair or replace the leaky faucet.

Water Heaters Can’t Explode

Water heaters can explode if the pressure from within the tank becomes too high. Water heaters maintain a constant rate of pressure using a temperature-pressure (TPR) valve.

If this valve malfunctions and pressure increases, immediately turn on a hot water tap to relieve some of the pressure from the tank. Then, locate the shut-off valve and turn off the water heater completely. Contact a water heater expert as soon as possible to discuss the cause of the malfunction, and to get any necessary repairs completed quickly

rats-in-pipesAnimals Cannot Swim Up Pipes

Small critters have been reported to appear from within toilets, bathtubs, and sinks around the globe. These small creatures, such as frogs, small water snakes, and rats, thrive in the damp and dark environments that pipes provide and therefore travel throughout these pipelines.

Rats have the ability to smell washed down food from kitchen sinks and can follow that smell to the original pipe the food came from.

Arrow Plumbing in Little Rock, AR consists of plumbing professionals equipped with the knowledge to answer any plumbing relating query you may have. You can contact us by calling (501) 753-3838.

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