Popular Plumbing Myths You Need To Know
From time to time, we encounter clients who have picked up some bad information about their water and plumbing system. Some of the misinformation comes from popular myths that have been passed around for generations. Other bits of incorrect knowledge were gained from friends, family members, or the Internet.
With that in mind, I thought it would be a good idea to look at some common misconceptions that have been floating around.
If Water Is Draining, It Isn’t Really Clogged
A stopped up drain, congested with grease, gunk, hair and other debris, may still allow water to drain out, albeit much slower. It is, nevertheless, a clog and if it’s left unattended, it will eventually become a complete blockage. The risk, then, is having water back up into your home.
Clogged drain pipes can also cause unpleasant odors and promote the growth of harmful bacteria. You should always clear away clogs as soon as they are detected. You can try using your plunger or a chemical drain cleaner, but they don’t always work. In fact, sometimes, drain cleaning product make the problem worse.
If you’re facing a particularly tough clog, contact your local plumbing expert. Armed with augers and other specialized tools, an experienced plumber can locate and clear away any blockage in your pipes.
It’s Impossible for Your Water Heater to Explode
Standard water heaters are equipped with a temperature pressure release (TPR) valve. Much like a pressure cooker, release valve, this safety feature is designed to let steam and heat escape when the internal temperature and pressure get too high.
If the TPR gets stuck or is damaged, preventing the pressure from being released, it can turn your water heater into a projectile that can rocket through the floors above and soar hundreds of feet into the air. The popular TV show Mythbusters did a segment on exploding water heaters, and the destruction they can create is quite alarming.
To make sure that a disaster of this kind never happens in your home, you should test your TPR valve regularly by opening it for a few seconds to make sure water drains out as it should. If nothing comes out, or if it gets stuck open, it may need to be replaced.
It’s OK to Have a Leaking Faucet
It’s only OK to have a leaking faucet if you don’t care about the environment or wasting your money. A leaking faucet, even if it drips very slowly, will waste hundreds of gallons of clean drinking water every year. That unnecessarily adds strain to our water treatment facilities and will end up costing you more in you annual water bills.
Most leaks are easy to fix if it’s a matter of an old, cracked washer. In some cases, the problem may lie in the valve mechanism resulting in water pooling on or under the counter. Situations like these create an ideal environment hazardous mold and mildew can grow.
If you’re interested in having a professional fix your leaking tap, getting your water heater checked out, or cleaning out a clogged drain, rely on the local Fort Lauderdale, FL area experts at C & D Plumbing Inc services. Call us today at (954) 758-8169 to schedule an appointment.