Like other urban legends and tall tales, plumbing myths may have a semblance of truth: hot water melts grease in a drain. You can flush disposable wipes safely. A water heater will explode if it rumbles. Such situations may have occurred once or twice, but these scenarios will fail as general rules. Instead, home- and business owners in Fairfax, VA, should rely on professional plumbing repair services from Hicks Plumbing.

A full-service plumbing and sewer repair company, Hicks has over 30 years of experience providing top-notch service. Indeed, we offer same-day service all week to better support our customers. Our team’s service options include drain cleaning, water heater repairs, sewer line repairs, emergency plumbing, hydro jetting, and more. To learn about our online specials or schedule a plumbing appointment, visit our website or call (703) 803-7466.

Below, we list several plumbing myths that you can dispense with:

You Can Save Money by Placing a Brick in the Toilet Tank

This belief stems from a desire to cut utility costs since toilets are among the most significant consumers of water in the average household. By placing a brick in the toilet tank, homeowners aim to use less water per flush.

Nevertheless, this “solution” comes with numerous problems. First, a brick—or any object—will require a specific placement to offset water use. Such an arrangement may prevent the flushing mechanism from operating. Also, sediment from bricks’ disintegration can impair the flushing process. Even if it saves a little water, the brick “solution” may cost you money for replacement parts.

Hot Water Can Melt Grease and Prevent Drain Clogs

Since grease is a liquid in a hot pan, it would be the same in hot water, right? Although this belief—like the one described above—comes from a basic principle, reality works differently. Hot water may wash grease down a drain, but the pipes cool and solidify it. There, that grease traps food bits and other detritus.

We recommend tossing food in the trash rather than washing it down the drain. One of the best ways to prevent clogged drains is to keep food and grease out of them.

Some Disposable Wipes are Flushable

Despite their advertising, “flushable” wipes tend to catch in pipes and create clogs. Simply put, they fail to break down the way toilet paper does. So, treat such wipes as you do paper towels—unsuitable for flushing.

You Can Safely Use Liquid Drain Cleaners

Even though their manufacturers assure otherwise, liquid drain cleaners can be hazardous. Their corrosive chemicals eat away at pipes and other plumbing system components, thereby creating more trouble than the existing issues clogged drains cause.

Homeowners who try to unclog their kitchen sink with a plunger should avoid doing so after using a liquid drain cleaner. The same corrosive chemicals that wreak havoc on pipes can also harm kitchen components and people.

A Water Heater Will Explode If It Rumbles

Water heaters may appear to be strange devices to many people, and they can make noises that seem alarming. Nevertheless, rumbling within a unit does not indicate an impending explosion. Instead, it usually signifies a build-up of sediment in the device. Although sediment can cause a water heater malfunction, simply cleaning it prevents this outcome.

Comprehensive Plumbing Repair Services Available Now in Fairfax, VA!

Your home and business deserve better care than the common myths that crop up in conversation. Rather than rely on hearsay, reach out to Hicks Plumbing for reliable plumbing repair services in Fairfax, VA. The Hicks team has decades of experience in the industry and comes highly recommended by previous clients. For more information on our options or to schedule your plumbing service, call (703) 803-7466 or visit our website!