A home’s plumbing system can be taken for granted so easily. Well, that is, as long as sinks and toilets function smoothly and your water heater doesn’t make those strange rumbling, popping, and banging sounds, right? Well, some of those statements are true and some are not. Can you tell the difference? Knowing the difference between the following five common home plumbing myths and the facts could make your life easier and save you money.

1. TABLETS CONTAINING BLEACH ARE SAFE FOR THE TOILET.

The answer to this myth is a resounding no. While you may pour bleach inside the basin to clean it, don’t use tablets containing bleach inside the tank. The bleach will eventually degrade the working components of the toilet.

2. FLUSHABLE WIPES AREN’T REALLY SAFE FOR THE TOILET.

You have probably heard this myth before that flushable wipes aren’t really safe to be flushed down the toilet. While other items, such as feminine hygiene products, ear swabs, and paper towels aren’t made to be flushed, the fact is, flushable wipes are specifically engineered to be safe for flushing down the toilet. That is, flushable wipes are safe for plumbing and sewer lines. To be labeled “flushable”, wipes go through rigorous flushability assessment testing to qualify.

3. A BANGING AND RUMBLING WATER HEATER WILL BLOW UP

If your water heater makes rumbling, banging, and popping noises, there’s no call for alarm or danger of it blowing up. The phenomenon behind your old grumbling water heater is caused when the heating element heats the water at the bottom of the tank and creates bubbles. The bubbles rise through layers of sediment and buildup. This is the cause of the noise.

Now, while a noisy water heater isn’t in impending risk of blowing up, it does mean that your water heater should be serviced by a professional plumber to clean the tank and check components. When is the last time your water heater was serviced?

4. A LEAKY FAUCET IS NO BIG DEAL.

The notion that a leaky faucet is no big deal nor a cause for concern is a costly myth. A faucet that drips of a rate of each second wastes about 3,000 gallons of fresh, clean water per year. That’s approximately 180 showers! The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that leaky faucets can account for nearly 10 percent of a water bill. Further, a leaky faucet is a problem that will only get worse. Get those leaky faucets fixed!

5. MANY PLUMBING JOBS ARE DO-IT-YOURSELF FIXES.

Now, this statement will depend on an individual’s aptitude for fixing things around the home. However, as far as plumbing goes, you do need the know-how, experience, and the tools for most plumbing repair jobs. While insulating pipes or using a plunger may be performed by the average person, of course. Though tasks such as fixing leaks and replacing parts on appliances should be performed by your plumbing professional, not to mention the more technical plumbing repairs that may occur.

When you have plumbing problems in your home, be sure to call the best plumbing company around. That’s MN Plumbing & Home Services! We offer fast free quotes with competitive pricing. Call on us today! (612) 255-6530.