10 Common Home Maintenance Tips That Are Actually Myths
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Like family recipes, there’s a lot of home maintenance advice that gets passed down. Not all of it, unfortunately, is as reliable as Grandma’s apple pie. And sometimes, these nuggets of wisdom are more folklore than fact and can be blindly followed, wasting time, money and even potentially causing damage.
Here are ten home maintenance tips that many people swear by, but don’t hold water. You could be nodding along, thinking, Oh, wait, I thought that was true! Don’t worry—you’re not alone. Let’s bust open these myths!
You Should Clean Your Gutters Once a Year
Cleaning your gutters once a year is one of the most common myths. This may work in mild climates, but many homeowners need to clean this more often, particularly if your property has overhanging trees. If you neglect gutters, eventually the gutters will clog and the water will back up and can damage your roof or your foundation. The National Association of Home Builders recommends cleaning your gutters at least twice a year for most homes.
Air Quality Is Drastically Improved By Duct Cleaning
Cleaning your air ducts might give you a false sense of security that it’s cleaning the air in your home, but studies show it is not as effective as you may think. According to an EPA report, duct cleaning has little effect on indoor air quality unless there is visible mold growth or other debris. Rather, keep your HVAC filters fresh and promote good ventilation; these small things have much greater impact on air quality.
Bleach Kills All Mold
If you think bleach is a miracle mold killer, you’re not alone, but it’s not the universal solution many think it is. Bleach works only on non porous surface, for example on tile or glass. Bleach won’t penetrate deeply enough on porous materials such as wood or drywall to eliminate the problem completely. In fact, it could make the situation worse by making mold grow back stronger. Use specialized products specifically made for porous surfaces.
Disaster Awaits Where Cracks in the Foundation Exist
Cracks in the foundation sound scary, but not every crack means panic. Most homes develop small, hairline cracks from normal settling with time. Structural engineers say as long as the cracks don’t exceed 1/4 inch wide and are not growing, they’re most likely harmless. Keep an eye on them and, if they’re widening significantly or you see water intrusion, call a pro.
Wooden Decks Can Be Protected Forever With Paint
Your wooden deck might get a layer of defense from outdoor paint or sealant, but it’s not a once and done. Unfortunately, many homeowners think that once they’ve painted their deck, it’s indestructible. Even the best finishes have to be reapplied every couple of years to be effective. If ignored, the wood will crack, peel, and suffer moisture damage which consumes the wood. It’s like sunscreen, you need a touch up.
Septic Safe Flushable Wipes
According to the packaging, ‘flushable,’ so they must be alright, right? Not exactly. Some of the time, these wipes don’t break down as fast as toilet paper, which can cause clogged pipes and stressed septic systems. To avoid an expensive plumber visit, stick to good old-fashioned tissue paper.
Running Water While Using Garbage Disposal Prevents Clogs
This is only a half true popular advice. In fact, running water while flushing debris through the disposal won’t keep that system clog free. Some things, such as grease, coffee grounds, and fibrous vegetables are notorious for clogging even the toughest disposals. If you want to sail smooth, avoid putting these items down the drain altogether.
Duct Tape Can Fix Everything
Duct tape is a hero in many situations, but it’s not the savior some make it out to be. For temporary solutions, like plugging a leaky pipe in an emergency, it’s fantastic, but it’s not meant for long term high stress applications. Its adhesive ability breaks down over time and that leaves you with a bigger problem. Duct tape is not the solution to every problem; think of it as a band aid.
Turning Off Power to Electronics Saves Energy Instantly
You know flipping off the TV or computer seems like it saves energy, but most modern devices go into standby mode and still draw power. This is known as “phantom energy” and can add up over time. According to the Department of Energy, up to 10 percent of a household’s energy use can be attributed to stand by power. Fully cut off electricity when your gadgets aren’t in use by using smart power strips.
Vinegar Cleans Everything
Vinegar is often touted as the miracle cleaner, but it’s not quite as universal as Pinterest would have you believe. Vinegar acidity can be too much for some surfaces such as granite, marble or hardwood floors, although it’s good for glass and countertops. Before you reach for the bottle, always double check what surfaces can safely handle vinegar.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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