We all have our sources of sound advice. Whether it be our parents, older siblings, “know-it-all” friends, or even Gabe from Accounting at the office, there is always someone to whom we turn in times of need. If you’re lucky, that person has gotten you through tough times with little more than duct tape and bailing wire. If you’re like most of us, though, that free advice has cost you more than you ever thought possible. Below are some of the whoppers we’ve heard, and how we recommend avoiding disaster.
The Worst Plumbing Advice:
My Drain Cleaning Chemical of Choice Fixes Everything
The chemicals in the drain cleaning business are very caustic and dangerous. They break down solid waste in a clogged drain so that water can pass through it freely. While the potent liquids may appear to make things easier, using them in the wrong situations can cause frustration and even injury.
Never use these chemicals in a toilet or other system where water is meant to pool, because the end result can be very volatile. Dumping chemicals into a pool of water, and then plunging that pool of water, can cause splashes that may result in permanent damage.
Keep a Brick in the Toilet Tank to Save Water
This old trick comes up more than you’d think. The idea is a seemingly good one – keep a brick in the tank of the toilet in order to use less water with each flush. Unfortunately, toilets weren’t designed by happenstance, and there’s logic in the size and shape of the tank. Adding a brick, water bottle, or other object that blocks the right amount of water can end up causing blockages and even overflows.
The Garbage Disposal Can Handle Anything
A garbage disposal is a great tool in the kitchen, as it makes short work of table scraps, leftover materials from preparing a meal, and plenty of other edible items. There are limits, however, to what a disposal can and should have thrown at it. Hot grease, large batches of potato peels, and even very fibrous vegetables like artichokes and corn husks can cause build ups or jams that can quickly damage the motor and ruin your garbage disposal.