The plumbing of your home is probably something that you don’t think about until there is a problem with it. The most common household problems that you will encounter are leaks and a loss of water pressure. If you don’t know what to do in this situation, the best thing to do is to call a plumber and have them to come and take a look, the last thing you want to do is make a small leak even worse! When it comes to plumbing issues, the more you know the better, that’s why we thought it would be a good idea to dispel some common myths about in home plumbing.
1. I don’t see any water so there is definitely no leak
This is perhaps one of the most dangerous statements that you can make regarding leaks in your home. Ignoring other signs of a potential leak can be very costly in a short amount of time. A leak in a pipe could take place at any point in the plumbing system, this could be behind a wall, in the ceiling or under the floor. Water will not be immediately visible to you, but it will be leaking into your insulation, drywall and floorboards. Any moisture buildup here can cause mould to build up and eventually cost a great deal to repair.
You can identify if you have a leak by looking at your water meter before and after the use of water. If you suspect that you may have a leak, it is always best to have a trained plumber to come and take a look at your water meter to be sure.
2. Leaky tap? Not a problem… right?
It may only be a few drops at a time, but that will add up in the days and months that you leave a leaky tap unrepaired. This will add up to hit you in your wallet much sooner than you think and the solution to a leaky tap is usually quite quick and easy.
3. You don’t need to maintain your plumbing fixtures
By keeping a regular schedule of maintenance on your home’s plumbing you will be able to safeguard against any small leaks becoming large problems. It doesn’t have to take long as long as you are familiar with your plumbing system so that you are able to spot anything out of the ordinary. If you are inspecting your plumbing system for the first time, it might be a good idea to call a plumber and have them to take a quick look to make sure that there are not any problems developing.
4. You can flush anything you want.
Blocked toilets are a very common cause of plumber call outs. It’s a shame really as they are so avoidable. You should avoid flushing baby wipes, makeup wipes, feminine hygiene products, cotton balls, paper towels, pills, diapers, cigarette butts, dental floss and pretty much anything that your toilet was not designed to handle.
5. You can use a plunger to recover something that you accidentally flushed
No, it can’t, that isn’t how plungers work. Plungers are far more effective at pushing things through a clogged system than they are retrieving them. If you have flushed something down the toilet, the chances are that it is already long gone. Down a sink or bathroom drain is another matter, and well worth calling a plumber to see if they are able to do anything about it. Just be prepared for the worst to happen if you drop things down a drain.