🚫 6 Plumbing Myths Destroying Tree Town... And Your WalleT.

sam30247
Aug 6
3 min read

Updated: Aug 8

You’ve heard the advice. Maybe even followed it.

But when it comes to plumbing, bad info leads to real damage — especially in older homes like the ones all over Tree Town.

From “pure tap water” to "flushable" wipes wrecking your sewer line, these common myths can cost you serious money.

Let’s break them down — and show you what actually works.

1. “If It’s Labeled ‘Flushable,’ It’s Fine”

❌ False

Flushable wipes don’t break down fast enough. Not in time, not in water, and definitely not in Ann Arbor’s aging sewer lines — which often include old cast iron, orangeburg, or clay pipe. These wipes clog drains, jam up ejector pumps, and can back up entire systems. Even the city has warned against it. You might not see the problem… until your basement floods.

✅ Do This Instead

Stick to toilet paper. Or, better yet — install a bidet.

2. “Ann Arbor Tap Water Is Pure — No Need to Filter It”

❌ False

Ann Arbor’s tap water meets federal safety standards — but that doesn’t mean it’s pure.

The city chlorinates the hard water from the Huron River, which includes local rain runoff, contains trace amounts of PFAS (“forever chemicals”), disinfection byproducts, and even residual medications. While levels are “within legal limits,” that doesn’t mean they’re ideal for long-term health or appliance longevity.

The hard water is another issue. High mineral content causes scale buildup in water heaters, dishwashers, and plumbing fixtures — which shorten their lifespan.

✅ Do This Instead

Consider testing your water. Based on what you find, install a whole-house filtration system or a reverse osmosis system at your drinking taps. At a minimum, use a carbon filter for better taste and odor.

If your home has aging pipes, also test for lead and legionella too — especially in homes built before 1986.

3. “Just Pour Drain Cleaner Down It”

❌ False

Chemical cleaners like Drano seem like a quick fix — but they eat away at old pipes, especially the galvanized or clay ones common in neighborhoods like Water Hill or Burns Park.

They don’t remove the clog. They burn through it. And if they sit in the pipe (because the clog didn’t move), they keep burning — often through your fittings, seals, and pipe walls.

✅ Do This Instead

Use a hand auger or call for a professional snake or hydrojet. It’s safer, more effective, and doesn’t damage your system.

4. “Low Pressure? Must Be the Water Heater”

❌ False

It’s easy to blame your water heater — but low pressure is usually a symptom, not the root cause.

In Ann Arbor, the real issue is often mineral buildup from hard water, especially in homes with no whole-house filtration. Other common culprits:

Partially closed shutoff valves
Corroded galvanized supply lines
Failing angle stops under sinks

✅ Do This Instead

Start with a pressure test and visual inspection. Sometimes the fix is a $$ valve — not a $$$$ heater swap.

5. “The Sump Pump Only Matters in Spring”

❌ False

Michigan’s freeze-thaw cycles, mid-winter rain, and power outages make your sump pump a year-round concern.

We see frozen discharge lines, dead float switches, and backup systems that don’t work when you need them — especially in flood-prone areas near the Huron River.

✅ Do This Instead

Test your sump pump monthly. Replace it every 5–7 years. And if you don’t already have a battery or water-powered backup system — strongly consider one.

6. “A Dripping Faucet Is No Big Deal”

❌ False

One drip every few seconds can waste over 3,000 gallons a year. That adds up — especially under Ann Arbor’s tiered water billing system.

Worse? That drip usually signals a worn washer, cracked cartridge, or corrosion inside the valve. Left alone, it can lead to water damage under your sink.

✅ Do This Instead

Replace the washer or cartridge early. Most repairs cost under $150. Wait too long and you’re looking at $800+ in water damage or full fixture replacement.