5 Things You Should Not Put in Your Drains

Things You Should Not Put in Your Drains

A lot of households take their drains for granted, putting a lot of stuff down the drains and expecting that everything will be washed away hassle-free. But, keep in mind that there are some things that you should never put into your drains. There are substances and items that can create considerable blockages and lead to serious problems in the future if ignored.
Complicating matters is the fact that plumbing systems are kept hidden from view, usually behind walls or under the floors. Leaks or blockages often go unnoticed until significant damage has already been done. Because of your plumbing system’s complexity, it will require the trained eye of a plumbing expert like those at Spartan Plumbing to spot and address minor issues that can, in time, turn into major concerns.
However, there are plenty of things you can do to prevent blockages. This includes being mindful of the items you put down the drain. Having said that,
here are some things you should refrain from putting into your drains:

Fats, Oils, and Grease –

Collectively known as FOG, fats, oil, and grease should never be put into a kitchen (or bathroom) sink. For one, these substances tend to coat the pipes, as well as create sludge. Once these liquids cool down, they turn into solids. Over time, FOG will gradually build up until such a time when they can clog the pipe. The sludge is a big concern since it can catch other things that pass through it as well.

Flushable Wipes –

While wipes are often billed as “flushable”, they can still block your drains. Wet wipes, for one, don’t easily break down like ordinary toilet paper. The only things, in fact, that you should flush down your toilet are waste and toilet paper. Wet wipes and other materials that are flushed down your pipe, can cause a toilet clog that would require servicing.

Coffee Grounds –

You may think that coffee grounds are harmless because of their diminutive size. However, they are not! They can remain in your pipes, and if you keep up the habit of throwing coffee grounds into the drain, the build-up may become significant enough to cause a blockage in your pipes.

Egg shells –

A lot of homeowners just throw eggshells into the garbage disposal system. They don’t realize that even small eggshell bits can get stuck in slime and grease, creating a thicker substance. This can then clog your pipes even more easily. In addition, the eggshells’ membrane layer can potentially wrap around the garbage disposal unit’s shredder ring. This can cause expensive damage to your system.

Hair, Dental Floss, and other Stringy Objects –

Stringy stuff like hair and floss do not easily flush down your toilet. Once they are flushed, it is highly possible that they will keep on swirling around, increasing the likelihood of coming into contact with the dreaded FOG, as well as other kinds of clumps and knots.

What to Do in Case of a Clog

Unless you can easily solve the clog with a plunger, never attempt to address the problem yourself. As previously mentioned, a plumbing system is complex. Also, a lot of plumbing tools that are readily available in your local supplies store are not always effective solutions.
It is also worth noting that, when you are trying to address a clog, you should never use a chemical drain cleaner. This is because they contain corrosive chemicals that can corrode your pipes and cause leaks.

Call Spartan Plumbing for Help

When experiencing a clog, don’t think twice about contacting a professional. Spartan Plumbing provides complete drain cleaning services to effectively address clogs and other plumbing problems you may have – 24/7 – any time of the day or night.
Call us now to know more about how we can help. Spartan Plumbing has been getting the job done in Tucson since 1987!
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