The Biggest Plumbing Myths

If you are a homeowner or a tenant, chances are you have dealt with plumbing issues at least in some capacity in your lifetime. Often, people will wait until they notice obvious symptoms before calling in a professional because if it’s working, it must be fine, right? Not necessarily! It is necessary to know what is good and what is not for the pipes and plumbing materials in your home and to be proactive about the proper plumbing solutions. Below are some of the most common plumbing myths.

If drains are working, they must be in good shape

False. Even though a drain seems to be functioning, that doesn’t mean trouble isn’t looming on the horizon. Even if a homeowner isn’t aware of it, food particles may be gathering in the discharge pipe. You can prevent this by making sure to maintain a 4-to-1 ratio of water to food particles in the kitchen sink. Homeowners and tenants should also be on the look-out for early warning signs, including slow drainage or an ineffective disposal unit.

It is safe to flush baby wipes

False. Even those wipes claiming to be flushable should NOT be. Flushing one or two wipes may be okay, but too many wipes can create a stubborn clog in your pipes. If you flush several wipes during a day, there isn’t enough time for each one to disintegrate. Commercial and residential plumbers have the equipment to remove a clog of baby wipes that is deep within a pipe. The professionals at Arch Plumbing in San Francisco have over 20 years of experience and are available 24/7!

Hard water is nothing to worry about

False. Formed when water travels through deposits of natural chalk and limestone, hard water contains calcium and magnesium carbonates. This can result in unattractive mineral deposits on fixtures, dishes, clothing and shower doors. Unfortunately, it can also cause scale to build up in certain types of pipes, while damaging some appliances. If they live in a region known for having extremely hard water, your buyers can mitigate risk by installing a water softening unit in their homes.

Commercial drain cleaners are safe to use on clogged drains.

False. Many of these drain cleaners contain chemicals that can erode your pipes causing more damage. Commercial plumbers have the know-how and experience to safely remove the clogs in the pipes.

Low water pressure is a simple inconvenience

False. While it can sometimes originate at the municipal water supply, most residential water pressure issues result from leaky pipes. This can be especially problematic, since leaking water can travel beneath a home and damage its infrastructure or foundation. If they are aware of a problem and do nothing to address it, homeowners can inadvertently void their foundation warranties. If water starts to trickle when it used to gush, homeowners should quickly arrange an inspection from an experienced plumber.

Contact Arch Plumbing in San Francisco for all your plumbing needs!

If you are dealing with any of the above plumbing issues in your home, don’t wait until things get worse to call in a professional. Small symptoms can be a sign of larger problems to come, so contact Arch Plumbing using our online form here or by calling 415- 375-0302