Discover These Universal Plumbing Myths

myth-or-factHave you ever listened to someone offering you information about plumbing and wonder if what they’re saying is true?

We’ve often heard tell of myths; stories and tales related to pipes and plumbing that are absolutely false, while others that sound too fantastic to be so are actually 100 % true.

In an effort to sort the fact from the fiction, we have prepared this short guide.

Animals Can Swim Up Your Pipes to Get To Your Toilet

rats-in-pipesThis myth is entirely true. Critters like rats, frogs, squirrels, and even snakes have been known to make their way through plumbing systems to end up in the bowl.

Rats and frogs are often found in sewage systems and can crawl and swim through waste lines to eventually make their way to your home.

In parts of the world where snakes are commonly found, they sometimes follow these creatures into the sewer system in search of food. In the case of squirrels, their most common entry point is the vent stack on your roof.

You can avoid having an unwanted visitor in your commode by having a one-way valve installed on the toilet plumbing that effectively keeps any animal from reaching the bowl. You can also cap your vent stack with wire mesh to keep the squirrels out.

A Leaking Faucet Is No Big Deal

leaking-faucetFalse. Aside from the annoying constant dripping noise, a leaking tap in your home can be very costly. In fact, a faucet that drips once every five seconds will add up to more than 400 gallons of wasted water in a year. That can have a significant impact on your utility bills.

In most cases, a leaking faucet is the result of a washer that has become dried out or cracked. In other instances, the root cause may be a damaged valve. In either case, an experienced plumbing professional can take care of the repair quickly and affordably, saving you lots of money on your future water bills.

Your Water Heater Has the Potential of Being a Ticking Time Bomb

True. Much like a pressure cooker without a release valve, a faulty water heater can become dangerous and cause an explosion. If the temperature and pressure relief (TPR) valve becomes jammed or is broken, the heat and pressure inside the tank could build to a point where the heater effectively is transformed into a rocket.

Exploding water heaters have been known to blast through the roof of the house and soar hundreds of feet into the air, destroying everything in its path.

Because of this phenomenon, it’s a good idea to test the TPR valve regularly and to have your water heater inspected and maintained annually by an expert plumbing professional.

When you’re looking for the real deal on plumbing in your Lexington, KY area home, place your trust in the pros at Bluegrass Rooter Plumbing Heat & Air. To schedule an appointment, call us today at (859) 509-9279.