5 Common Misconceptions That Could Be Damaging Your Home’s Pipes

Most homeowners don’t think about their pipes until something goes wrong. That’s understandable. The problem is that some of the things you’re doing could be causing major damage without you even realizing it. Some of the most common things people believe about their plumbing are either outdated or just flat out wrong. Here are five misconceptions to stop before they cost you something.

1. If It’s Draining, It’s Fine

A drain that’s moving tells you nothing about the condition of the pipe it’s moving through. Partial blockages from grease, soap scum, hair, and mineral buildup can restrict a pipe to a fraction of its capacity while still technically draining.

2. Hot Water Flushes Grease Down the Drain

The thinking goes that hot water keeps grease in a liquid state long enough to carry it out of the system. What actually happens is that the grease travels a short distance down the line, cools, solidifies, and sticks to the pipe wall, usually at a bend or low point where it builds up. Grease belongs in the trash, not the drain, regardless of what temperature the water is.

3. A Small Leak Isn’t Urgent

There is no such thing as a small leak when it comes to outcomes. A small leak under a sink wets the cabinet floor, then the cabinet structure, then potentially the subfloor. A small leak behind a wall wets insulation, framing, and drywall, and helps mold thrive.

4. Flushable Wipes Are Safe to Flush

Unlike toilet paper, which is engineered to break down fast in water, most wipes marketed as “flushable” don’t break down very quickly at all. They build up at bends, catch on root intrusions, and combine with other debris to form blockages that might need a water jet to clear.

5. My Pipes Are Fine Because the House Isn’t That Old

Age is one factor in pipe condition, but it’s far from the only one. Water chemistry matters. Installation quality matters, too. What’s gone down the drains over the years matters. A fifteen-year-old home with consistently poor drain habits and hard water can have pipes in worse condition than a well-maintained home twice its age.

If something in your home’s plumbing has been nagging at you, don’t wait for it to get worse. Elk Grove Village Sewer & Plumbing can help. Get in touch today to schedule a visit.