Debunking (should we say unclogging) Common Plumbing Myths


Everyone has been passed down myths and hearsay about plumbing dos and don’ts or seen a TikTok life-hack that just seemed a little too good to be true. Plumbing myths can be extremely dangerous and unfortunately, there are quite a few that get shared. Today, we are going to debunk some of these myths and offer quality tested and trusted solutions instead. 

Myth 1

“Chemical drainer cleaners are safe for cleaning.” 

This myth is perhaps one of the more common ones and to the average consumer, seeing a “plumber tested” cleaner might seem easy and safe. However, the truth is that these harsh chemicals deteriorate pipes and oftentimes just make the issues worse. Instead opt for tools like drain snakes and plungers or rely on Isley Plumbing’s experienced plumbers to solve the problems.  

Myth 2:

“A wire hanger is a good substitute for a drain snake.” 

Although it may seem intuitive, using a wire or any substitute for a drain snake is not the best idea. Drain snakes are designed specifically to be used in your drain and have been proven time and time again to be the optimal tool for remedying a clogged drain. 

Myth #3 

“Grease can go down the drain when used with hot water.” 

Grease and oils of any kind — like olive oil and many other popular cooking oils — are never supposed to go down a drain. Grease loves to collect, then build up and congeal, making it the #1 pipe-wrecker. This myth proposes that hot water will allow the grease to fully drain through and while this may work at first, the grease will eventually harden deeper in your pipes and cause blockage. 

Myth #4

“A rumbling water heater is going to explode.” 

While in some rare cases, water heaters can explode, most likely your rumbling water heater is just backed up with sediment and other materials causing it to have less than peak performance. You will want to clean this sediment out as soon as possible. This is a job for professional plumbers like Isley Plumbing to tackle a task like this. 

Isley Plumbing is too experienced to fall for these myths – and hopefully neither will their clients. If you are uncertain about a plumbing issue – better to trust the professionals at Isley. Give us a call at 317-420-4006 or contact us online to schedule an appointment today!