Serving Round Lake & 
Plumbing might seem straightforward, but many of what homeowners believe isn’t true. From DIY fixes that cause more harm than good to old advice that doesn’t work with modern systems, plumbing myths stick around longer than they should. Knowing what’s fact and just a rumor can save you from future repairs.
Flushable Wipes Aren’t Really Flushable
Just because the label says you can flush them doesn’t mean you should. Wipes won’t break down the way toilet paper does. They stay intact long after you flush, which means they can bunch up inside your pipes and get stuck in bends or tight spots. Over time, they collect more debris and create a blockage that’s hard to clear without tools.
If your home in Round Lake has older sewer lines or tree roots nearby, this buildup happens even faster. The wipes might not clog things right away, but the damage builds slowly. You might first notice the toilet bubbling when you flush or a foul smell near the drains.
Our professional drain cleaning plumbers deal with this all the time. The fix often involves snaking or hydro jetting the line to break up the blockage. Regular toilet paper is still your best bet. Anything that claims to be flushable belongs in the trash instead.
Lemons Don’t Clean Your Garbage Disposal
A lot of people toss lemon peels into the garbage disposal thinking it’ll clean the blades and leave a fresh scent. While it might make your sink smell better for a minute, it doesn’t do much for cleaning. The peel can get stuck around the impellers and start to rot if it doesn’t break down completely.
Garbage disposals don’t really have sharp blades. They use blunt impellers to grind food against a metal ring. Cleaning them takes more than a citrus slice. If your disposal smells bad or sounds strange, there’s probably grease or food buildup down inside the housing.
Running cold water and dish soap works better to flush out the gunk. For deeper cleaning, our plumber can take it apart safely and clean out anything that’s jammed or rotting. This kind of maintenance helps the motor last longer and keeps your kitchen drain running better in the long run.
Chemical Drain Cleaners Can Damage Your Pipes
You’ve probably seen those bright bottles on store shelves that promise to clear up clogs in minutes. While they might work on minor blockages, they can cause bigger problems than they fix. Chemical drain cleaners use harsh ingredients that break down hair and grease, but they also eat away at the inside of your pipes.
In older homes around Round Lake, especially those with galvanized or PVC plumbing, this can be a serious issue. The chemicals might crack the pipe or weaken joints, making leaks more likely later. They also release fumes that aren’t great to breathe, especially in small bathrooms or tight laundry rooms.
Professional drain cleaning uses mechanical tools or water pressure from a hydrojet system to clear clogs without harming the pipes. If your drain keeps clogging, it usually means there’s a deeper issue in the line. A one-time chemical fix won’t stop that problem from coming back.
A Dripping Faucet Isn’t Just a Nuisance
That slow drip from the bathroom sink might not seem like a big deal, but it adds up. Even a steady leak that’s only a drop every few seconds can waste hundreds of gallons of water a year. If you’re on a metered system, that means paying more for water you’re not using.
Drips also point to wear inside the faucet. Over time, the washers or cartridges break down and stop sealing properly. The leak might spread into the cabinet below or soak into nearby drywall. In homes with hard water, the mineral buildup can make the problem worse by blocking parts of the valve.
Replacing a washer is simple if you’ve done it before, but not all faucets come apart the same way. Our plumber can swap out the part without damaging the fixture, and we’ll check for signs of corrosion while they’re at it. Catching a drip early helps avoid water stains and mold, and future repairs.
Hot Water Can’t Fix Grease in Your Drain
Pouring hot water down the sink after cooking greasy food is a good way to clean the line. But once that grease cools inside your pipes, it turns solid again. The water just pushes it further down the line, where it sticks to the walls and starts forming a clog.
This buildup usually happens in the kitchen drain, especially if you cook often. Over time, the grease mixes with soap scum and bits of food. You might notice the water drains more slowly or starts to gurgle when you empty the sink.
The best move is to wipe pans with a paper towel and throw the grease in the trash. If your drain is already slow, our plumber can clean it without using heat or chemicals that damage the line. In some cases, regular maintenance with professional tools like augers or jetters keeps kitchen drains clear, especially in older homes around Lake County.
Plungers Don’t Work for Every Clog
Plungers are helpful tools, but they aren’t magic. They work by creating pressure and suction to move a clog. If the blockage is too far down the pipe or made from something solid like a kid’s toy, a plunger won’t help much. You might even make the clog worse by packing it tighter.
Toilets and sinks clog for different reasons. Bathroom drains often back up from hair or soap residue, while toilets usually have issues with too much paper or non-flushable items. A plunger might work once, but if you’re using it every week, something deeper is wrong.
Professional plumbers can use cameras to look inside the pipes and find out what’s really stuck. We’ll also clear it in a way that doesn’t stress the fixtures. If you’re reaching for the plunger more often than not, it’s time to look into toilet repair.
Toilets Won’t Last Forever
Toilets seem like the kind of fixture that just keeps working, but they wear out too. Over the years, the internal parts like the flapper, fill valve, and flush mechanism all start to break down. You might not notice it right away, but if your toilet runs after flushing or refills by itself in the middle of the night, it’s leaking water.
In Round Lake, where water hardness varies, mineral deposits can build up in the rim jets or clog the flush holes. This weakens the flush and might cause backups even when the pipe is clear. Sometimes, replacing the internal parts will fix your toilet issue. Other times, the porcelain gets hairline cracks, or the base starts to wobble.
Replacing the toilet isn’t always about style. A modern unit uses less water, flushes better, and can help avoid repeat repairs. Our plumber can help you pick one that fits your plumbing and install your toilet properly without leaks.
The Myth of Low Water Pressure
Low water pressure can result from a blocked aerator or partially closed valve. In the kitchen or bathroom, mineral buildup in the faucet can slow things down without affecting the rest of the house. That’s usually a quick fix with a cleaning or a new part.
Our team can check the pressure with a gauge and trace it back to the source. We also know the local water system and whether other homes nearby have had similar issues. Not every drop in pressure means a major repair, but it’s good to get it looked at.
Let Us Help You With All Your Plumbing Needs
Our plumbers serve Round Lake and the surrounding areas, offering sewer and drain services, pipe repair, water treatment, water heater installation and more. For honest answers and help you can trust, schedule a visit with Duane Blanton Plumbing, Sewer, Heating & Cooling today.
