General Plumbing Myths You Should Know

Everybody loves a good piece of fiction. There’s also something to be said for stories that are based on real events. But when it comes to tales told about your plumbing, it’s sometimes hard to tell one from the other.

So today, we thought we would help you to differentiate the truth from the fiction in these widely held plumbing myths.

“I Heard About This Guy Who Found a Snake in His Toilet”

As unpleasant as it may sound, it has happened. Of course, if you live in a part of the country where there aren’t any snakes, it will probably never happen to you. But you could encounter a rat, a frog, a squirrel, or even a bird.

Rodents and amphibians have resided in sewer systems for as long as they’ve been around. While snakes don’t usually live there, they do sometimes chase their prey into the sewer. These animals have the ability to swim or crawl through the sewer lines and can eventually make their way into a residential toilet bowl.

Birds and squirrels take a different route to reach toilets. They can sometimes accidentally get into the vent stack on the roof.

If you want to make sure you’re never confronted with the terrifying encounter of a wild animal in your toilet, you can have a multi-flap installed. This special plumbing attachment allows waste and water to exit but keeps critters from entering.

“Don’t Worry About That Dripping Faucet, How Bad Can It Be?”

Let’s quantify just how bad it can be. Picture a tap that releases one single drop every five seconds. After a year, that can add up to over 400 gallons down the drain.

That kind of significant waste is bad for the environment and bad for your wallet. It can add up to some significant costs on your water bills.

In many cases, fixing the issue just requires changing a damaged washer. It’s a simple fix to prevent significant waste.

“I Can Fix Any Clog Just With a Plunger”

Any such boast should be met with great skepticism. Most clogs are formed by an accumulation of grease and dirt inside the pipes. The sticky gunk gradually traps passing hair and other solids sent down the drain, further constricting the flow of water.

When the clog is located too far down the drainpipe, the use of a plunger becomes ineffective. In those instances, an auger might be the best solution.

For the toughest clogs, a plumber’s secret weapon is a process called hydrojetting that uses a concentrated stream of pressurized water to scrape away built-up gunk and clogs inside the pipes. Hydrojetting is even powerful enough to remove tree roots that have grown inside sewer lines.

If you need assistance with the plumbing in your Naperville, IL area home, you can count on the friendly experts at Jim Wagner Plumbing. To schedule an appointment, call 630-577-9241.