We’ve all heard plenty of the old wives’ tales, legends, and superstitions that have developed over the course of history. Did you spill the salt? Better throw a pinch over your shoulder to avoid bad luck! Speaking of luck, if you happen across a penny turned face up, better pick it up, it’s lucky! Just make sure not to step on a crack or you’ll break your mother’s back…you get our drift. How these traditions originated is hard to pinpoint, but they’ve been ingrained into our memories since we were kids. So, we at Sun Plumbing thought it might be interesting to talk about some plumbing myths to see if there’s any truth to them or if they’re completely bogus. Read on to find out what’s fact and what’s fiction when it comes to your plumbing!
Put a Brick in Your Toilet Tank to Save Water
There is actually some truth to this. Placing a brick in the tank of your toilet can conserve water, but only if the brick extends above the low water-level mark. It needs to be the correct dimensions and be positioned correctly, but, in theory, this can work. As you flush, the water in the tank reaches the low water line and then fills back up to the high water line, and a brick allows less water to trickle into the tank. There are drawbacks to this method, though. Parts of the brick can break off or disintegrate over time, which can lead to major plumbing problems. Because of this, we wouldn’t suggest the brick in the toilet option! If you choose to conserve water this way, at least put the brick in a sealed plastic bag to avoid causing plumbing problems.
Lemons Clean Your Garbage Disposal
There are plenty of people who put lemon slices into their kitchen’s garbage disposal to freshen the smell, and while this can work temporarily, it does nothing to actually clean your disposer. The citric acid found in lemons can actually harm your garbage disposal by damaging the metal. Instead, try pouring a half cup of baking soda and a cup of white vinegar into the disposal. It will fizzle up, so let it sit for a few minutes and then pour very hot water down the drain while running your garbage disposal. That should do the trick!
Get in Your Bathtub if There’s a Tornado
We’ve all probably heard this one. If forces of nature like a tornado (or a hurricane would be more likely here in Florida) strike unexpectedly, it’s believed the bathtub is the safest place to seek shelter. This might be true if your bathroom/bathtub is in the interior of your home and has no windows. But, if your bathroom has windows, do NOT get in the tub during inclement weather! If you can’t get to a shelter, go somewhere in the interior of your home with no windows, like a closet or laundry room.
We hope you found these plumbing myths as interesting as we did! Sun Plumbing has proudly served Brevard County since 1974, and as our name suggests, we’re as dependable as the sun! If you’re in Melbourne, Palm Bay, or Merritt Island and you need assistance with a bathroom remodel, water heater repair, or any other plumbing services, call us today.
