Whether you’ve been a homeowner for years or are still learning the ropes, there are certain things we all assume are conventional wisdom when it comes to home maintenance. Perhaps your standard operating procedures were passed down for generations or maybe you’ve gathered advice from popular home bloggers.
But are these pillars of homeownership even true? Here are some of the most common home maintenance myths and the truths behind them:
Myth #1: Coffee grounds are great fertilizer in the garden.
While it won’t necessarily hurt your garden to add coffee grounds to the soil, it might not do what you thought. Contrary to popular belief, used coffee grounds are neutral, not acidic.
Over time, coffee grounds can add nitrogen to compost, but they won’t immediately add nitrogen to your garden.
Coffee grounds do help aerate the soil and improve drainage. They also help keep away some pests.
Myth #2: The test button is the best way to make sure your smoke alarm is working.
It may seem counterintuitive, but using the test button on your smoke alarm isn’t a good indicator of proper function. It actually only tests whether or not the sound works on the unit, so you’ll want to use another method.
You can light a match near the sensor or use a smoke detector test kit instead.
Myth #3: Cracks point to the location of a foundation problem.
Unfortunately, you can’t always identify the exact location of a problem with your home’s foundation by where the cracks point.
However, the good news is that detecting an issue early typically results in a much less expensive fix. While you will need to seek the advice of an expert, putting off foundation repairs only results in a much higher price tag down the road.
Myth #4: Using lemons or citrus peels is a natural way to clean a garbage disposal.
While it is true that lemons and citrus will temporarily help reduce any offensive smells emanating from your garbage disposal system, the acid will corrode the blades and pipes over time.
To clean and deodorize without causing long-term damage, opt for baking soda or store-bought disposal cleaner instead.
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