Plumbing advice gets passed down for generations, from parents, neighbors, and the occasional internet forum. The problem is that a lot of this advice sounds reasonable but is actually outdated, incomplete, or flat out wrong. Believing some of these myths can lead to bigger problems down the road, or at least a few unnecessary headaches. Here are some of the most common ones we hear from homeowners.
Myth 1: Lemon Peels Clean Your Garbage Disposal
This is one of the most widely repeated pieces of plumbing advice out there, and unfortunately it’s mostly myth. While lemon peels can make your disposal smell nice for a few minutes, the citrus oil doesn’t actually clean the blades or the internal components. Worse, citrus peels are fibrous and can actually wrap around the blades or contribute to clogs rather than preventing them.
If you want to keep your disposal smelling fresh and running smoothly, ice cubes combined with a small amount of dish soap do a better job of cleaning the blades, and running cold water while the disposal operates helps flush debris through properly.
Myth 2: A Dripping Faucet Isn’t a Big Deal
It’s easy to dismiss a slow drip as a minor annoyance rather than an actual problem. In reality, a dripping faucet can waste a significant amount of water over the course of a year, and that adds up on your water bill more than most people expect. Beyond the wasted water, a drip is often a sign of a worn washer, O-ring, or valve seat that will likely get worse over time if left unaddressed.
Myth 3: Flushable Wipes Are Safe for Your Plumbing
Just because a product is labeled “flushable” doesn’t mean your plumbing system agrees. Unlike toilet paper, most wipes marketed as flushable don’t break down quickly in water. They can catch on minor imperfections inside pipes, bind together, and contribute to clogs, both inside your home’s plumbing and further down the line in municipal sewer systems.
The safest rule of thumb is to only flush human waste and toilet paper, regardless of what the packaging on other products claims.
Myth 4: Putting Ice Cubes in the Disposal Sharpens the Blades
This one sounds logical, but garbage disposals don’t actually have blades in the traditional sense. They use blunt impellers to break down food waste through force rather than sharp cutting edges. Ice cubes can help knock loose debris stuck to the impellers and clean the inside of the unit, but they aren’t sharpening anything, since there’s nothing bladed to sharpen in the first place.
Myth 5: A Toilet That Refills Constantly Is Just Old
A toilet that keeps running or refilling on its own usually points to a specific, fixable issue rather than simple old age. This is often caused by a worn flapper valve that isn’t sealing properly, letting water slowly leak from the tank into the bowl. While this is a relatively simple and inexpensive fix, an ignored running toilet can waste an enormous amount of water over time, often without homeowners realizing just how much it’s adding to their bill.
Myth 6: You Only Need a Plumber for Emergencies
A lot of homeowners only think to call a plumber once something has already gone wrong, a burst pipe, a major leak, or a completely clogged drain. In reality, regular plumbing maintenance and inspections can catch small issues, corroding pipes, minor leaks, or early signs of buildup, before they turn into an actual emergency. Preventative visits tend to be far less disruptive and less expensive than dealing with a full blown plumbing failure.
Myth 7: All Plumbers Are the Same
Plumbing work varies significantly depending on training, experience, and the specific type of job. A plumber experienced with routine repairs may not have the same expertise with something like a full sewer line replacement or a whole home repiping project. Checking experience, licensing, insurance, and reviews matters more than a lot of homeowners realize, especially for larger or more complex projects.
Myth 8: Water Heaters Only Need Attention When They Stop Working
Many homeowners don’t think about their water heater until it fails completely, but tanks benefit from periodic maintenance well before that point. Sediment builds up inside a tank over time, reducing efficiency and shortening the unit’s overall lifespan. Regular flushing and inspection can extend a water heater’s life significantly and help you avoid an unexpected cold shower.
Myth 9: A Slow Drain Will Eventually Clear Itself
A drain that’s running slower than usual is rarely a problem that resolves on its own. In most cases, something is gradually building up inside the pipe, hair, grease, soap residue, or mineral deposits, and that buildup tends to get worse rather than better without some form of intervention. Addressing a slow drain early is almost always easier and less expensive than waiting until it becomes a complete blockage.
Myth 10: Low Water Pressure Is Just a Fixture Issue
While a clogged aerator or showerhead can absolutely cause low water pressure, it isn’t always the cause. Low pressure throughout an entire home can point to a more significant issue, like a hidden leak, corroded pipes, or even a problem with the municipal supply line. If cleaning your fixtures doesn’t resolve the issue, it’s worth having a plumber investigate further rather than assuming it will resolve on its own.
Why It’s Worth Knowing the Difference
Believing plumbing myths isn’t just a matter of misinformation, it can lead to wasted time, wasted money, and in some cases, bigger problems than you started with. Knowing what’s actually true versus what’s simply commonly repeated helps you make better decisions about your home’s plumbing and know when it’s actually time to call a professional.
How Mission Ready Plumbing Can Help
At Mission Ready Plumbing, we believe in giving homeowners honest, accurate information rather than relying on outdated advice or unnecessary upsells. If you’re dealing with a plumbing issue and aren’t sure what’s actually going on, our team is happy to take a look and give you a straightforward assessment.
Your plumbing problem is our mission. Contact Mission Ready Plumbing today to schedule service, whether it’s a routine inspection or something that needs immediate attention.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do lemon peels actually clean a garbage disposal? Not really. While lemon peels can leave a pleasant smell for a short time, the citrus oil doesn’t clean the internal components, and the fibrous peels can actually contribute to clogs. Ice cubes with a small amount of dish soap do a better job of cleaning the impellers.
Are flushable wipes actually safe to flush? No, despite the labeling, most wipes marketed as flushable don’t break down quickly in water like toilet paper does. They can catch inside pipes and contribute to clogs both in home plumbing and municipal sewer systems.
Why does my toilet keep running or refilling on its own? This is usually caused by a worn flapper valve that isn’t sealing properly, letting water slowly leak from the tank into the bowl. It’s typically a simple, inexpensive fix, but an ignored running toilet can waste a significant amount of water over time.
Do I only need a plumber when something breaks? No, regular maintenance and inspections can catch small issues like corroding pipes or minor leaks before they become full emergencies. Preventative visits tend to be far less disruptive and less expensive than dealing with a major plumbing failure.
What actually causes low water pressure throughout a home? It can be caused by more than just a clogged fixture, including a hidden leak, corroded pipes, or an issue with the municipal supply line. If cleaning your fixtures doesn’t resolve the issue, it’s worth having a plumber investigate further.
Mission Ready Plumbing is a veteran owned and operated plumbing company with over 25 years of experience, serving Southeast Michigan including Livingston County, Oakland County, Washtenaw County, and more.
