5 Craziest Plumbing Misconceptions

All the time, we get calls from customers who have run into problems such as the ones on this list. At HP Mechanical, serving Sonoma County, we have all of the skills and experience to do any plumbing job, so if you're not sure about doing something yourself, we are always here to serve.

1. Put lemon peels down the garbage disposal to make it smell good.
   Truth: Yes, it will smell nice, but the peels can also clog the drain. We have seen it happen too many times here at HP Mechanical. A better suggestion is to pour some white vinegar in there to freshen up your disposal.
    
2. Flushable wipes are just fine.
   Truth: They don’t deteriorate like toilet paper, and will cause havoc over time, so all of us at HP Mechanical beg you please not to flush those wipes because believe us—they’re not flushable!
    
3. Toilet bowl tablets that contain bleach will help to keep the toilet clean.
   Truth: If the tablet contains bleach and is designed to be placed in your tank, it will likely destroy the working parts of a toilet within approximately six months. Bleach in the bowl is fine, but don’t let it linger in the tank for more than 10 minutes. Flush it through to prevent damage and alleviate further down the road.
    
4. Ice cubes will sharpen your garbage disposal blades.
   Truth: No they don’t, but they will clean the blades, and it’s recommended to do so if your sink starts to smell.
    
5. Put a brick in the rear of your toilet tank to save water.
   Truth: Bricks will breakdown over time and cause other things (such as the flapper) to break. It can also backfire if it displaces too much water, which means you may have to flush twice.

About HP Mechanical

For many years, HP Mechanical has proudly provided comfort to thousands of homes and light commercial businesses across the Santa Rosa/Windsor area and throughout Sonoma County. We are an honest, loyal company who takes pride in our work. We take care of our customers as if they were family. Referrals are where 90% of our business comes from, so the relationships we build along the way mean a lot to our small business. The one constant with everything involves working and helping people, by striving to provide the best service available at a reasonable cost. We take personal responsibility to make sure comfort and quality meets accountability & affordability, with exceptional customer service every time!

Written by Ed Attanasio
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