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Posted on February 17, 2017 by

Common Plumbing Myths that Shouldn’t Be Ignored

myth-or-factWe hear various myths and false assumptions every day, especially with the modern presence of social media in modern life. But when these myths surround the topic of plumbing, the information shouldn’t so easily be ignored.
Plumbing is a vital part of a healthy home, and homeowners need to be educated in basic facts surrounding their plumbing system, so they know what to do in the case that something goes wrong.
Here are common plumbing myths that should no longer be ignored:

A Water Heater Will Not Explode

A water heater is a pressurized tank which heats up water before it is ready to be sent around a plumbing system. These heaters maintain their pressure with a regulator valve called the temperature-pressure (TPR) valve. But what happens if this valve malfunctions?
Upon malfunction or disturbance, water pressure quickly builds up in the heating tank due to extreme temperatures and increasing pressure. If the problem is not immediately addressed, the water heater can explode – damaging the surrounding area and possibly critically injuring anyone around.
If a faulty water heater is discovered and the pressure inside is increasing, immediately turn on a hot water tap in the surrounding area or anywhere in your home to relieve pressure inside the tank. Afterward, seek out the turn-off switch on the water heater and contact a plumbing professional immediately.

Creatures Won’t Crawl Up Pipes

rats-in-pipesMany individuals around the globe have stories of small critters magically appearing in their toilets, bathtubs, or sinks. The fact of the matter is that this occurrence isn’t magic at all. Pipes are damp and dark areas, which are inviting environments for plenty of small creatures.
Frogs are some of the most common animals to appear out of a plumbing pipe, along with rats. Rats sniff out washed-down food from kitchen drains and follow the scent up the pipes.

Plungers Fix Any Clog

Plungers are only effective at removing minor clogs in a household. They are tools designed to disrupt the position of clogs that are close to the drain but will not work if even a minor clog is too far down a drain. Bigger tools and projects, along with professional assistance, are necessary to remove moderate to major clogs that may have formed.

If Water Goes Down a Drain, There Is No Clog

Water that makes its way down a drain does not necessarily mean there is no clog to be dealt with. There are a couple of other suggestions that a clog may be in a drain, including:

  • A drain is producing a bad odor.
  • Water is slow to drain.
  • Bathtub or basement drains are backed up.

Any of these issues points to the answer that there is, in fact, a clog somewhere in a plumbing line. Call a professional to assess and locate any blockage that you are unsure of since these issues could mean there is a bigger blockage somewhere in the main line.

A Leaking Faucet Isn’t Bad

leaking-faucetA leaky faucet can become a bad situation, quickly. Even a small, steady drip can waste $20 worth of water in a hurry. Since water enters a pipe system under pressure, ensure that the leaky faucets washers are tight and can maintain this pressure.
If tightening the washers does not eliminate the constant dripping, get an expert in the plumbing industry to take a look and safely fix the leak.
Homeowners who are educated on the truths behind plumbing myths are equipped with the information they need to know when a plumber is necessary for any issue they run into. If you’re in the Arlington or Falls Church, VA areas and are seeking expert plumbing advice, contact The Plumbing Dr by calling (703) 525-9280.