Home plumbing is essential for the smooth running of our homes, but it can be a hard topic to grasp without professional training. In fact, if we base a key decision on a “plumbing fact” and it proves to be wrong, it could even cost us a lot of money! In this article, we will look at some commonly believed plumbing facts and establish if they are true or false.
A Leaky Faucet is No Big Deal
False. Although a leaky faucet may seem like a minor plumbing issue, it can develop into a larger problem over time. One drip is inconsequential, but add up all those thousands of drips that occur each day, and you’re losing a lot of water. Every leaking faucet, appliance, toilet, and fixture should be fixed sooner rather than later. A leak can occur for a number of reasons, such as a cracked pipe, a broken seal, or a problem with your water pressure. If you’re not confident fixing a leaky faucet or you have other leaks in your home, contact your local certified plumber and get them fixed soon.
A Water Heater Could Explode
False (kind of). Although it is true that an old or poorly maintained water heater can fail and rupture under certain conditions, it would be hard to describe it as an explosion. Most ruptured water tanks simply crack apart, and this only occurs in older models. A modern water heater is fitted with a pressure relief valve that prevents a rupture by releasing any pressure that builds up in the appliance. Many homeowners mistake a rumbling noise in their water heater as a warning that the appliance is set to explode. But, this only indicates the presence of sediment at the bottom of the tank that’s reducing the heating efficiency. If you hear this type of noise or you're concerned about the age of your water heater, contact your local plumber and ask about a service or replacement.
“Flushable” Wipes are Fine to Flush
False, a toilet is only designed to flush away human waste and toilet paper. Any other materials such as “flushable” wipes, kitchen paper, diapers, and many other items cannot be flushed safely. If you ask any plumber about toilet clogs, they can tell you all about the numerous items that they find inside the drain. A flushable wipe only degrades very slowly compared to toilet paper that’s designed to degrade quickly.
Home Plumbing Servicing is a Great Investment
True. When you consider the potential costs of flooding and wasted water, a home plumbing check up starts to look like a real bargain. Let’s face it; the last thing any homeowner wants to deal with is a burst pipe or a sewage line backup into their homes. A regular inspection and servicing is a great way to ensure that your plumbing is working efficiently, and it will be less prone to failures.
If you want to schedule an inspection or servicing for your home plumbing system, contact your local certified plumber today.
By Giovanni Longo President Flood Brothers PlumbingGiovanni Longo is a 3rd generation master plumber who has been practicing his craft and trade in the greater Los Angeles area for well over a decade and a half. A plumbing and hydraulics-engineering innovator, Giovanni's particular world-class expertise focuses on dealing with challenging sewer system designs as well as resolving complex commercial and residential draining issues. As a certified Flood Mitigation expert, he is also well versed in a wide variety of water damage and remediation solution.