Debunking the Plumbing Myths and Deceptions Q & A:

Q: Can a dripping faucet head be a sign of a larger problem?

A: No. If only the faucet head is dripping, then the source of the issue is most-likely a bad cartridge and not a sign of a larger issue. If your faucet is leaking at the base or in the cabinet below, then there is cause for concern and you should contact a plumber right away. The only risk you take with a dripping sink faucet is the potential for your water bill to go up a minuscule amount.

Q: Can a Garbage Disposal be repaired?

A: Yes and No. If the disposal blades are jammed-up, they can be cleared and released. If the motor is burned up then the garbage disposal will have to be replaced.

Q: Is it okay to use lemons to clean my Garbage Disposal?

A: Not unless you are willing to remove the rind and seeds! One of the old school ways to clean garbage disposals was to stick a lemon in it and grind it up. This can add a nice temporary lemon scent, but it does not clean it and can even dull, jam or break your blades! Instead, disconnect your disposal from the power source, then use warm water, soap and a brush to gently scrub away the grime.

Q: If my Water Heater is making a lot of noise, do I need to replace it?

A: If your water heater starts creating more noise than usual, don’t be alarmed just yet! Many times, the noise is due to sediment build-up in the tank. Hard water causes loose minerals to accumulate at the bottom of the tank near the heating element. That heating element engages when you turn the hot water on. Overtime, the sediment build-up can keep that heating element from working properly. It expands and creates bubbles which makes some of the noises you are hearing. It may not stop your water heater from working but it can cause it to work inefficiently. A good plumber can let you know if it’s time for a new one or if your water heater isn’t too older for a sufficient repair.

Q: Can water really shoot up from your sink drain like in the movies?

A: No. That is simply an effect for movies. Sink drains are gravity fed. There is no pressure that would cause water to shoot up.

Q: I only vacation or frequent my Florida home a couple times a year or less. I’m on a well and I have an aerator. After being gone for long durations, my water smells like rotten eggs or sulfur. Why?

A. Although it is more common with well equipment, this can happen whether you are on city water or well water. This can be a common occurrence with water that sits for any period of time in your water heater. Try this: Increase the water heater temperature for a couple hours at 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Afterward, adjust temperature back, then drain your water heater all the way down, emptying the tank completely. Then, let it fill back up to test if the smell has subsided. Flushing the tank to remove the dead bacteria should help to tame the odor down. If this does not fix the issue, you could need a new anode rod. If you are not in to a DIY anode rod replacement, we can help! If you are still experiencing this issue after replacing the anode rod, and your aerator is still doing it’s job, then you may need to consider calling a specialist. It could have something to do with your water filtration system, which we DO NOT specialize in.

Q: Since it’s called a Garbage Disposal, does that mean I can use it to dispose any organic garbage?

A: Truth is, the fact that it is even called a garbage disposal is completely misleading! You can’t put garbage down it. In fact, there are organics that shouldn’t go down it either! There is a myth that as long as you are running water it can help the overall function of the disposal and allows anything to go down. This is far from true. Disposal blades are not indestructible and the motor can wear out with excessive use. Only soft food items should go down a disposal. Thicker, harder food items should be avoided. Also, starchy foods may grind up nicely but can clog your pipes! Common items that can destroy your disposal are bones, egg shells, coffee grounds, and grease. We also recommend that you stay away from pasta and rice to protect your pipes from clogging!

Q: Is water pressure supposed to fluctuate?

A: Water pressure depends if you are on a well or on city water. Well water pressure should stay pretty consistent but city water can fluctuate for many reasons. Some companies might immediately try to convince you that it’s an issue with your pipes. This may be a sales gimmick to get you to repipe your home. If you notice that the pressure fluctuates, call a plumber to determine if it is serious.

Q: Will turning my faucet handles tightly stop my faucet leak?

A: Cranking the handle tightly in attempts to close it can cause more damage than you might think. It could permanently damage your faucet or even break the faucet handle. Simply turn the handles until it stops releasing water. If it continues to leak, it is not due to your handles.

Q: Are all flushable items really safe to flush?

A: Not really. Nothing slides through your pipes like toilet paper does. If it’s not biodegradable, like a dead fish, they can get caught in your pipes and cause clogs. Most flushing wipes, paper towels and sanitary napkins have been habitual cloggers in the plumbing world. Try to keep it simple: if it’s not your own waste or toilet paper, don’t flush it!

Q: Is Draino helpful for clogs?

A: Not at all. In fact, it can only potentially hinder the process since it cannot sufficiently remove the clog, specifically severe clogs. When you end up calling a plumber out to resolve the issue, they have to work around this chemical because it gets stuck in whatever is clogged in your pipes. The only sufficient chemical that can break through even the toughest of clogs is sulfuric acid. Plumbers use a sulfuric acid drain solvent for emergency use in cleaning drains, sewer and waste lines. Sadly, this chemical is for retail use only and cannot be sold for retail.

Q: Are all plumbers equal in skill and finesse?

A: Like zebra’s, no two plumbers are alike! Not all plumbers that walk through your door went to trade school, and not all have decades of experience. You want to make sure the plumber you are calling out has the knowledge and experience to handle your issue in a timely and efficient manner. Plumbing requires skill, patience and finesse to provide that cutting-edge service experience. People can feel vulnerable when calling a plumber to their home and some companies take advantage of that. Not every plumber has your best interests in mind and some larger plumbing companies can overcharge you because they have a larger overhead to cover.

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