Have you ever heard a fact about plumbing and wondered if it was actually true? We have heard several “facts” that are completely false!
Today we BUST those myths! Below are our top ten favourite myths and the facts that go with them.
MYTH: Hot water melts grease and prevents clogs in your drain.
FACT: While it is true that hot water helps to melt the grease on your plates or pans and wash it down the drain, it does not, in fact, prevent clogs. Once in the drain, the grease cools and solidifies, and, over time, builds up, causing your drain to block. You are best to scrape grease into a bin or container and throw it out.
MYTH: Toilet water drains the opposite way in the Southern Hemisphere than it does in the Northern Hemisphere.
FACT: This myth is based on the fact that a cyclone in the Southern Hemisphere circles in the opposite direction to one in the Northern Hemisphere. While it is true that some toilets do drain in an opposite direction, this is because of the design of the toilet, rather than which hemisphere the toilet is located.
MYTH: Flushable wipes can go down the drain.
FACT: Even though they are marketed as ‘flushable’, these wipes should not be flushed down the drain as they cannot deteriorate. Flushable wipes, instead, get stuck in your sewer drainage system, and can build up to cause a potentially costly blockage.
MYTH: A slow dripping tap does not affect your water bill.
FACT: As with any water usage, a dripping tap – even one that is dripping slowly – will, over time, add onto your water bill. Repairing the leak as soon as it is noticed is the best way to prevent it from increasing your water consumption and therefore your water bill.
MYTH: Pouring hot grease or oil down your drain is okay as it is not a liquid.
FACT: This is false – you should never pour grease or oil down your drain. When grease and oil cool, it solidifies, blocking your drain. Instead of pouring it down the drain, put it in a container until it cools then throw it away.
MYTH: Anything can go into your garbage disposal (insinkerator) as long as you run hot water at the same time.
FACT: This is false as any stringy scraps – for example celery – can wrap around the blades, and cause not only damage to the blades but the unit as well.
MYTH: It is okay to flush cat litter down the toilet.
FACT: Flushing cat litter down the toilet is bad for your drains as it does not break-down. Cat litter – especially those that are absorbent – can cause problematic blockages and can also cause any toxins to spread.
MYTH: Creatures cannot swim upstream into your toilet.
FACT: This might seem a bit disturbing, and possibly scary, but creatures such as rats and snake ARE able to swim or work their way up your sewer drain and into your toilet bowl. (You may want to check the bowl before taking a seat!)
MYTH: Ice cubes sharpen garbage disposal (insinkerator) blades.
FACT: Ice cubes can dull your blades if you put them down your garbage disposal often. They are, however, good to use once in a while to clean the disposal system.
MYTH: Put a brick in your toilets’ cistern to save water.
FACT: This is false as the brick will deteriorate over time and can also cause damage to other working parts within the cistern. Putting a brick in the cistern can also displace too much water and you may need to flush the toilet more than twice to get rid of the contents.
There you have it! Our top ten plumbing myths BUSTED. Have any of these surprised you?
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