Anyone can buy a house and become a homeowner, but it takes time to learn how to maintain it. Eventually, you’ll learn how to unblock a toilet with a plunger. However, there are some plumbing problems that you can’t fix yourself, even though some myths say otherwise. North Shore plumbers from PG Plumbing & Gasfitting tell of common plumbing myths, and what the truth is.

Myth 1: Plumbing Fixtures Don’t Need Maintenance

The truth is that nothing lasts forever, and everything needs to be maintained. Plumbing fixtures like sinks, drains and taps need to be maintained as much as a geyser or water heater would. For example, inspecting your drains once a year means that you could avoid getting a blockage which could have been avoided with maintenance. If you find leaking taps or suspect that your drain is blocked, it’s best to take preventative measures and get a plumber from North Shore to inspect it. They can perform repairs and ensure that the problem is fixed before the damage becomes more extensive.

Myth 2: My Sink Isn’t Clogged If It’s Still Draining 

You might think that even though the water drains away slowly, you don’t have a blockage in your drains because the water still flows away. Unfortunately, this is false. When the water in your sinks takes a long time to drain away, it means that there’s a blockage in the pipe or drain that is almost clogging it entirely. The same goes for your shower drain and bathtub. The water should drain quickly. If it doesn’t, you might have a blockage that will only get worse if you ignore it for too long.

When using your bathroom sink and bathtub or shower, dirt, makeup, body lotions and toothpaste can coat the sides of the pipes as the water drains away. While this isn’t a problem essentially, it can become one if you don’t get your drains and fixtures maintained. After a while, the buildup of grime can also catch other debris going down the drain, like hair. If it isn’t dealt with quickly, you’ll start seeing signs of a blocked drain, one of which is water that drains away too slowly. So if you see that, don’t assume that your drains are functioning as they should – slow drainage is a sign of a blocked drain, so get a plumber in to inspect it as soon as possible.

Myth 3: Store-Bought Drain Cleaners Are Safe 

If you’ve ever purchased store-bought drain cleaners, have you ever looked at what they contain? Most are made out of harmful chemicals, which burn or melt blockages away. However, these chemicals are hazardous to you and the environment. The reaction is caused by chemicals like sulphuric acid or sodium hydroxide. They react when they come into contact with liquids, which can be a powerful and dangerous result. Some of them release vapour or smoke that burns your eyes and makes it hard to breathe. They can also cause chemical burns to your skin and eyes.

So although they might be able to remove part of a blockage, the risk is too high – especially if you live with other people or pets. You don’t want to get injured, and the risk of ingestion is severe if a child drinks it accidentally. Remember, it’s poison, and should be nowhere near your house, let alone your pipes.

In addition, store-bought drain cleaners are also dangerous for your pipes and drains. Over time, they corrode the pipes, making them weaker and more susceptible to cracking. In all, chemical drain cleaners impose more risks than anything. You’re better off getting a North Shore plumber to unblock your drain instead of using chemicals.

Myth 4: Products Labelled “Flushable” Are Safe To Flush 

While some products are labelled as “flushable,” that means that it won’t get stuck in your toilet pipes. However, the labels say nothing about the risk they pose to the rest of your drainage system. Toiletries like sanitary products, wet wipes and cotton balls might seem harmless but can cause a severe blockage if you dispose of them incorrectly. To be safe, even if a product is labelled as flushable, remember that the only things that can or should be flushed down the toilet are human waste and toilet paper.

Plumbers in North Shore are often hired to solve plumbing and drainage problems caused by these myths. Supposedly flushable items, ignorance and general negligence can cause many plumbing issues that they have to fix for you. Hopefully, with the truth revealed about these myths, you’ll rely on your plumbers more often while taking better care to maintain your plumbing and drainage systems.