Plumbing myths are surprisingly persistent. Some have been passed down through generations ("that's just how it's done"), others spread through well-meaning internet advice, and some come from product marketing that's simply not accurate. Here are the five most expensive plumbing myths — and what's actually true.
Myth #1: "Flushable Wipes Are Safe to Flush"
The truth: "Flushable" wipes are not flushable in any meaningful sense. Unlike toilet paper, which breaks down within seconds of getting wet, flushable wipes remain largely intact for hours or days after flushing. They're made of synthetic fibers designed to stay strong when wet — exactly the opposite of what should go down a drain.
What actually happens: The wipes travel through your home's drain lines (often successfully) but then accumulate at low points, around tree roots, or at the municipal sewer system. Water utilities across the country spend hundreds of millions of dollars per year removing "fatbergs" — massive blockages of wipes, fat, and other non-flushable materials.
In your home, flushable wipes are a common cause of:
- Toilet drain clogs
- Sewer line blockages (especially with older, narrower pipes)
- Septic system failures (for homes on septic)
The fix: Dispose of wet wipes in the trash, not the toilet. No exceptions.
Myth #2: "Running Hot Water Helps Grease Go Down the Drain"
The truth: Hot water keeps grease liquid long enough to get past the drain and a few feet of pipe — and then it cools, solidifies, and sticks to the pipe walls. The grease then accumulates, layer by layer, over months and years until you have a serious blockage deep in your drain system.
This is why professional drain cleaning involves mechanical removal (snake or hydro-jetting) — you can't dissolve a mature grease clog with hot water. By the time it's a problem, hot water doesn't help at all.
The fix: Never pour cooking oil, grease, or fat down any drain. Let it cool and solidify, then dispose of it in the trash. Or collect it in a sealable container for disposal.
Myth #3: "A Leaky Faucet Is Just Annoying — It's Not Urgent"
The truth: A faucet dripping once per second wastes approximately 3,000 gallons per year — about 8 gallons per day. At average U.S. water rates, that's $15–$40 per year in water costs alone. Two leaky faucets double that.
More significantly, the dripping water over time can:
- Stain and damage sink surfaces and fixtures
- Create mineral deposits (scale) around the drain area
- If under a sink, damage cabinet interiors and potentially cause mold
- A dripping hot water faucet also wastes energy heating water that's immediately wasted
Most leaky faucets are caused by a worn washer or cartridge — a $5–$20 part. A licensed plumber can fix most faucet leaks in 30–60 minutes for $75–$150. Far cheaper than ignoring it for years.
Myth #4: "Drop a Cleaning Tablet in the Toilet Tank to Keep It Clean"
The truth: Most drop-in toilet tank tablets contain bleach or harsh chemicals that, sitting in the tank, continuously bathe the rubber flapper and other components in corrosive chemicals. Within 6–12 months of using these tablets, the flapper and fill valve seals often deteriorate — causing the toilet to run constantly.
The irony: the "cleaning" tablets cause the exact problem (running toilet) that costs you the most money in water waste. Plumbers see this routinely — a customer with a running toilet whose tank contains the remnants of a blue cleaning tablet.
The fix: Clean your toilet bowl with a toilet brush and regular bowl cleaner. If you want the tank to stay cleaner, flush with white vinegar (pour a cup into the overflow tube) periodically. Skip the drop-in tablets.
Myth #5: "Chemical Drain Cleaners Are a Safe, Effective Way to Clear Clogs"
The truth: Chemical drain cleaners work through highly exothermic (heat-producing) chemical reactions. This heat and chemical reaction can:
- Soften and warp PVC drain pipes (especially with repeated use)
- Corrode older galvanized steel or cast iron pipes
- Damage rubber gaskets and seals in drain connections
- Create dangerous steam or splashback if drain doesn't clear immediately
- Be extremely hazardous to skin and eyes on contact
- React dangerously with other chemicals (like a plumber's snake lubricant or other cleaners)
More importantly: chemical drain cleaners rarely solve the underlying problem. They may partially dissolve an organic clog, giving temporary relief, but the root cause (grease buildup, hair accumulation, improper venting) remains. The clog returns faster each time.
The fix: For most clogs, try a plunger or a manual drain snake first. For hair clogs in bathroom drains, a $3 plastic Zip-It tool often clears more than any chemical cleaner. For persistent clogs, call a plumber for hydro-jetting or professional snaking — it solves the problem instead of masking it.
Bonus Myth: "I Can Put Anything in the Garbage Disposal"
Garbage disposals are not food trash cans. Items that regularly cause disposal and drain line damage include: fibrous vegetables (celery, artichokes, corn husks), expanding foods (rice, pasta, bread), coffee grounds (accumulate in drain lines), fruit pits and bones, and large quantities of any food at once. Use the disposal for small food scraps only, always with cold running water.
Need a plumber to repair damage caused by any of these myths? Find licensed professionals near you in the National Plumber Connect directory.