Plumbing Myth Busters: 4 Common Plumbing Myths Every Wisconsin Homeowner Should Stop Believing

Have you ever heard that flushable wipes are safe to flush? Or that pouring hot water down the drain makes grease disappear?

You're not alone.

Every week, our technicians hear well-intentioned advice that's been passed from neighbor to neighbor, generation to generation. The problem is that many of these "tips" can actually shorten the life of your plumbing system—or lead to expensive repairs.

That's why we're launching our new Plumbing Myth Busters series from Viking Plumbing.

In each episode, we'll separate fact from fiction and help Wisconsin homeowners make smarter decisions that keep their plumbing systems running smoothly. Let's kick things off by busting four of the biggest plumbing myths we hear every day.

Myth #1: "Flushable" Wipes Are Safe to Flush

Verdict: MYTH

If you've ever looked at a package of wipes labeled flushable, it's easy to assume they're perfectly safe for your plumbing.

Unfortunately, that's often not the case.

Unlike toilet paper, which is specifically designed to break apart quickly in water, many wipes stay intact for a long time after they're flushed. As they travel through your home's plumbing and municipal sewer systems, they can snag on pipe joints, tree roots, grease buildup, and other debris.

Over time, these wipes accumulate into massive clogs that can block sewer lines and cause costly backups. In fact, municipalities across the country spend millions of dollars every year removing giant masses of wipes, grease, and debris—often referred to as "fatbergs."

What You Should Do Instead

The only things that belong in your toilet are:

• Toilet paper

• Human waste

Everything else—including wipes, paper towels, cotton swabs, and hygiene products—belongs in the trash.

Myth #2: Hot Water Melts Grease, So It's Fine to Pour It Down the Drain

Verdict: MYTH

This one has been around for decades.

Yes, hot grease is liquid. Yes, hot water can temporarily keep it moving.

But once that grease travels farther into your plumbing system, it cools.

As it cools, it hardens along the inside walls of your pipes. Over time, additional grease sticks to those deposits, eventually trapping food particles and creating stubborn clogs that restrict water flow.

The result?

• Slow kitchen drains

• Frequent backups

• Professional drain cleaning

• In severe cases, damaged drain lines

The Better Habit

Allow grease to cool completely before disposing of it in the trash or a sealed container.

Your kitchen sink was designed for water—not bacon grease.

Myth #3: Ice Cubes Sharpen Your Garbage Disposal

Verdict: HALF TRUE

This myth contains a small grain of truth.

Ice cubes can help clean your garbage disposal by knocking loose food residue and buildup.

But they do not sharpen the disposal.

That's because garbage disposals don't actually have sharp blades. Instead, they use spinning impellers that force food against a stationary grinding ring.

Those components aren't designed to become razor sharp.

A Better Way to Care for Your Disposal

To help your disposal last longer:

• Run cold water while it's operating.

• Feed food waste gradually instead of all at once.

• Avoid grease, bones, fibrous vegetables, and large amounts of coffee grounds.

• Occasionally run a few ice cubes through the unit to help remove buildup.

Proper habits will do far more than any internet "hack."

Myth #4: A Small Leak Isn't a Big Deal

Verdict: MYTH

A slow drip may seem harmless.

After all, it's only a few drops...right?

Not necessarily.

A faucet dripping once every second can waste thousands of gallons of water each year. Beyond the wasted water, even a small leak can create moisture behind walls, under sinks, or inside cabinets where mold and wood damage begin long before you notice them.

The earlier a leak is repaired, the less expensive the repair usually is.

If something is dripping today, it's almost always cheaper to fix it now than after hidden water damage develops.

The Truth Is Better Than the Myth

Most plumbing myths started with good intentions. Some may have worked decades ago. Others have simply been repeated so often they sound like facts.

Today's plumbing systems—and today's homes—benefit from advice that's based on real-world experience, not internet rumors.

At Viking Plumbing, our technicians help homeowners throughout southeastern Wisconsin every day by solving problems before they become emergencies. Whether it's a clogged drain, a leaking fixture, a failing water heater, or a complete bathroom remodel, we're committed to giving you honest recommendations and lasting solutions.

Follow Our Plumbing Myth Busters Series

This is just the beginning.

Watch our Facebook page for new Plumbing Myth Busters episodes where we'll continue debunking common plumbing misconceptions, sharing simple maintenance tips, and helping you protect one of your home's most important systems.

Have a plumbing question you've always wondered about? Send it our way—it might become the next myth we bust!