Plumbing problems are never fun, from a faulty faucet or a clogged sink to a full-on system failure. And with so many plumbing myths and misconceptions about out there, it can be hard to know what to do when something goes wrong.
We’ve all heard them: the plumbing myths that seem to circulate no matter how many times they’re debunked. But just because something is a myth doesn’t mean it’s not fun and important to talk about! In this blog post, we’ll debunk a few of the most common (and ridiculous) plumbing myths.
So read on, and don’t be afraid to share with your friends – plumbing myths make for a great conversation starter!
MYTH: Toilet Water Flushes The Other Direction In Australia
It is probably the most well-known plumbing myth that toilet water naturally flushes in the other direction in Australia. This is not true! The direction of the water flow is determined by the toilet bowl’s shape and the rim jets’ direction. So no matter where you are in the world, your toilet will always flush in the manner it was designed to.
The myth stems from the Coriolis Effect, which is how we understand the rotation of cyclones when they appear around the globe. However, this effect does not occur in an area as small as your toilet bowl at home.
MYTH: A Brick In Your Toilet Tank Will Save Money
We’ve all heard the advice to put a brick in our toilet tank in order to save water and money. But does this tricky home hack really work? The short answer is no. A brick will not save you any money on your water bill, and it may actually end up costing you more in the long run.
Here’s why: A brick in your toilet tank will displace some of the water that would normally be used to flush your toilet. The idea is that you’ll use less water with each flush, which could save you a few gallons of water per day. However, the savings will be offset by the fact that your toilet will have to be flushed more often to clear waste. The brick can also damage the interior of your toilet and prevent it from properly flushing; not to mention that the brick will also absorb water and eventually break down, which can clog your toilet and cause expensive repairs.
MYTH: Ice Cubes Will Sharpen Garbage Disposals
If you’ve ever been told that running ice cubes through your garbage disposal will sharpen the blades, we’re here to tell you that it’s a myth. Ice cubes will do nothing to sharpen the blades on your garbage disposal; in fact, garbage disposals don’t even have blades. What they do have are impellers, which are like propellers that force food waste down into the grinding chamber, where the grind rings then break it down.
So no, you can’t “sharpen your garbage disposal.” Tossing ice down your sink’s drain does nothing but waste your valuable ice!
MYTH: Flushing All The Toilets In A Skyscraper Will Destroy It
This is a myth that has been around for years, and it’s a humorous idea, but thankfully this is also not true. Flushing all the toilets in a skyscraper will not cause it to explode and fall apart. The plumbing in a skyscraper is designed to handle a large volume of water, and most buildings of that size have multiple plumbing systems as a failsafe in case one system fails. This is because engineers actually took into account the possibility of every toilet in the building being flushed at once when designing the plumbing.
So don’t worry; you can flush your toilet without anxiety the next time you’re in a skyscraper.
MYTH: A Water Heater Will Explode If You Hear It Rumbling
You probably had this exact thought the last time you heard your water heater rumbling or making an unusual sound, regardless of whether you had heard of this myth before or not.
Rest assured, your water heater won’t explode just because it’s making noise. The rumbling sound is usually caused by sediment build-up on the bottom of the tank. Over time, hard water leaves behind minerals like calcium and magnesium in the tank. As more sediment accumulates, it starts to act like a barrier between the heat source and the water. The sound is typically caused by bubbles rising their way through the layer of sediment. However, if left unaddressed, your system could fail prematurely.
Thankfully you’re in no danger of an exploding water heater, but if your system is making unusual or unnerving sounds, it’s always best to contact a professional and figure out what the issue is.
Conclusion
Now that you know the truth about these common plumbing myths, we hope that you are better equipped to take care of your plumbing and are able to act appropriately when and where issues may arise.
North PeachTree Plumbing has been providing plumbing repair service in North Atlanta for over 25 years. If you’re in need of anything from simple repairs to emergency plumbing services, we have your back.
If you’d like more information or have any questions, you can give us a call at 678-234-8385 or send an email to info@north-peachtree-plumbing.com.
