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Just like with just about anything in life, there are myths that are spread in regard to plumbing repair and plumbing problems. No matter where you live, there are common myths and misunderstandings when it comes to plumbing repair. I am going to share with the most common myths in regards to plumbing.

1. Anything Can be Put Down a Garbage Disposal:
   Even though this is true for the most part, there are a lot of things that are not meant to be put down a garbage disposal. Food items that have grease in them (like cheese or meat) can clog pipes and leave behind clogs that are hard to get rid of which would cause a very difficult plumbing repair. Foods that have long strings on them like celery, potato skins, carrot skins, can get wrapped around the blades of a garbage disposal and lock it up. It is also a bad idea to put coffee grounds, egg shells, any bread product, bones, and other brittle items or items that absorb water down a garbage disposal. No matter whether you live in Chattanooga, TN, you have to be very cautious in regards to what you put down your garbage disposal.
2. Chemical Drain Cleaners Do Not Harm Pipes: Actually, the exact opposite is true. Chemical drain cleaners not only eat away a clog, they can eat away pipes as well. It is believed that these cleaners do not hurt pipes. However, over time they will destroy pipes. A good home remedy for clogs is a combination of baking soda and vinegar and it is good for those of us who reside in Chattanooga, TN.
3. Ground Lemons Will Freshen a Garbage Disposal: This is the furthest thing from the truth. The truth about lemons and garbage disposals is that lemons corrode the metal surface of a garbage disposal. A better idea is to use a mixture of ice cubes and salt to get rid of the bad odors that emit from a garbage disposal. This will save you from a costly and time-consuming repair. Ice cubes get rid of pieces of food and keep it nice and clean. The salt, when added to the ice cubes improves the cleaning strength of the ice cubes.
4. Items That Can be Flushed: There are many items that state that they can safely be flushed down a toilet. This is technically true, but those that do plumbing repairfor a living in Chattanooga, TN highly recommend that these so called “flushable” items should not be flushed down a toilet. When a flushable wipe is flushed down the toilet, they may create a fatberg in sewer systems. A fatberg is a “giant, congealed mass of items that are not biodegradable. Cat litter should also not be flushed due to the fact that it contains toxoplasma gondii, which can spread a very contagious infection. Paper towels, tampons, sanitary napkins, or insects should never be flushed down the toilet. Generally, if an item says it is flushable, it usually is not.
5. A Water Heater Will Never Explode: Sadly, that is not true. Even though the majority of state-of-the-art water heaters have a pressure safety valve, an explosion can still take place at dangerous levels. Plumbers and people that help them perform plumbing repairs advise that a heater needs to be flushed once a year and check pipes and valves every few months to prevent any situations that can create put your life and the lives of those that life with you at risk.
6. Boiling Water Cleans Grease Out of Drains: Even though hot water gets rid of grease that is cool and semi-solid, so why would it not be able to clean pipes as well? Sadly, boiling water will harden up grease in a drain instead of getting rid of it. The best thing for you that live in Chattanooga, TN to do is avoid getting grease down the drain to begin with which can prevent many issues and a possible expensive repair. When grease goes down a drain, it can prevent it from draining properly and can also cause it to overflow. If necessary call a plumber to do a professional plumbing repair and they will come to your home and scrape the inside of your pipes clean.
7. Using a Dishwasher is a Waste of Water: The exact opposite is actually the truth. Due to the method that many people use to wash their dishes by hand, using a dishwasher to wash dishes helps save a lot of water. This is even more true when an energy efficient dishwasher is purchased. People that own a dishwasher should never feel bad about using them because they save time and money and prevent food items from going down the drain that should not be in a drain which saves them from an expensive plumbing repair as well.
8. If it Drains, it is Okay: This is not necessarily the truth. Food particles and other items can gather further down the drain. It should never be assumed that a drain is working the way that it should be cannot be in danger of becoming clogged. It is a very good idea to use sink filters that prevent items from going down the drain that never should.
9. It is Not Necessary to Call a Plumber Unless There is a Plumbing Problem: As long as water is flowing through the pipes and there are no clogs that you can see, you may think that since your home is not in need of a plumbing repair that there is no reason for you to have a plumber come to your home. However, over time, a buildup can develop and can cause a quick and unexpected, troublesome, and costly repair in your future. Having your plumbing checked out by a plumbing on a yearly basis can prevent this from happening. Therefore, it is a good idea to make a yearly appointment for your plumber to come visit your home.

These are the most common plumbing myths. A lot of them can do harm to pipes, so avoid doing them whenever possible. If you have any questions about how to care for your pipes or whether a plumbing repair is needed, be sure you call Metro Plumbing, Heating and Air!