There's a complex maze of plumbing pipes running through your home. Caring for them properly is important, so you shouldn't fall for any myths out there. While many of them are harmless, some can cause major damage, which will lead to your needing a plumber to do some major repair work. Here are six of those myths you need to avoid.

1. You Can Use Chemical Drain Cleaners

You notice that you’ve got a backed-up drain. The solution is simple, right? You just go to your local pharmacy, pick up a bottle of drain cleaner, and pour it down your drain. Problem solved, right? Wrong. While it might seem to get the water flowing again, it can damage pipes, especially in older houses. According to This Old House, homes built before 1970 have copper tubing and fittings for their plumbing supply lines. The cleaner can cut through those pipes and cause major leakage issues.

2. Flushable Wipes Work Like They Say

Perhaps you've seen a package that says "Flushable Wipes" and "Septic Safe" on it. Seems like the best of both worlds, with no rough toilet paper and no filling up the trash. However, despite the claims on the package, these wipes are not good for septic systems. As a result, you could be causing the need for sewer repairs in the future. It's better to stick with toilet paper or invest in a bidet.

3. You Can Ignore a Dripping Faucet

You might be annoyed by the constant dripping of the faucet, but after a bit, it can become background noise. You might not think much of each drop of water that comes out, but when you add it up over the course of a day, a week, a month, or even a year, it’s a lot. We’re talking gallons of wasted water. This planet is covered with water, but only a finite amount is drinkable. Get a plumber to come fix the problem and prevent larger ones from happening in the future.

4. Pipes Only Freeze if the Heat Is Off

Don't fall for the myth that your plumbing pipes will be safe if you have the heat on when it's cold outside. There are a lot of pipes that don't have any protection when those temperatures drop, so there's a very real risk they could freeze and subsequently burst while the furnace is chugging merrily away. You can leave cabinet doors open and insulate certain pipes to lessen that risk by a good amount.

5. As Long as Everything Is Draining, It's Okay

Things can be going on inside your drain without you knowing it. Some gunk or trash that got in before can build up, and the result is a slow backup. Always stay alert about how your drains are acting and get a professional plumber to look at them if something seems wrong. Appearances can be deceiving.

6. You Can DIY It

The biggest myth of all is that plumbing is something you can handle on your own. However, there are very few things you can do yourself, like use a plunger to unclog your toilet. Most of the time, there are a lot of complex issues going on in those pipes that only a trained plumber can diagnose and fix. You could very well cause the issue to become worse and more costly to resolve.

The internet has made it much easier to debunk these myths. If you're unsure about some advice you received, you can always do a quick search to verify its validity. You'll get your answer within seconds. However, you should also ensure it's coming from a trusted source, not a website built three days ago. Then, you can securely accept or reject that plumbing advice.

Also, if you notice a problem with your plumbing, like a drain backing up or slowly draining, don't wait and hope the issue goes away on its own. That won't happen most of the time, and it'll only get worse. It's far better to be proactive. Saving money in the long run will be well worth it. Do you need a plumber to take care of your issues? Beverly Services can do that, along with water heater service and sewer repair. Contact us today with any questions you might have or to make an appointment.