9 Things That Should Never Go Down the Drain

How often do you think about what you’re putting down your drains? If you mindlessly flush items down your drains, you’re not alone. Most people don’t think about potential drain damage until there’s a blockage. However, when it comes to your plumbing system’s health, you need to watch what you flush down your drains. Putting anything down your drain besides water, human waste, and toilet paper can create significant damage that requires costly repairs.

 

In this article, we’ll discuss several things you should never put down your plumbing drains. Let’s dive in!

 

9 Things You Should Never Put Down Your Drains

 

If you want to avoid plumbing clogs, you should never put the following items down your drains:

 

1.   Eggshells

 

While it might seem like eggshells can easily travel down your drains without causing a clog, they can quickly backup your plumbing system. The rough, hard edges of the shell can combine with additional debris and eventually clog your drain.

 

2. Coffee Grounds

 

One of the worst culprits for clogging drains, according to plumbers, is coffee grounds. Most people think that coffee grounds are too tiny to get stuck in their plumbing pipes, but they can create significant blockages. To avoid this problem, make sure you dispose of grinds in the garbage before rinsing and cleaning mugs.

 

3. Grease

 

Garbage disposals efficiently grind up food particles to dispose of them without blocking your drains. Still, oil, grease, and other fats do not break down in your garbage disposal. Since these substances can solidify and easily block your plumbing pipes, you should never pour them down the drain.

 

4. Stickers

 

Small plastic stickers, such as those seen on fruit and vegetable, can easily get washed down your drain. However, they can adhere to the sides of your pipe and create significant blockages.

 

5. Cotton Balls and Paper Towels

 

Paper towels and cotton balls are biodegradable, but they don’t break up easily. Since they absorb water, they’re can quickly clog your drains. That’s why you should never throw these items down your drain.

 

6. Flour

 

When flour combines with water, it forms a coagulant that can build up and block your pipes.  Other debris also combines with flour on its way down the drain and creates a significant blockage. This is why you should never flush flour down your drains.

 

7. Medication

 

Medications shouldn’t be flushed down your drains not only because they can block them but because they can leak chemicals back into your drinking water. You should always dispose of unused medications at your local drugstore or prescription medication drop instead of flushing them down your drains.

 

8. Baby Wipes

 

Although most people think that wet wipes are just like toilet paper, they are actually not flushable. Since they can easily block your plumbing system, you should throw them in the garbage can rather than down your drains.

 

9. Paint

 

Paint can also easily clog your drains. Not only should you avoid putting paint down your drain pipes to avoid clogs, but many types of paint also include hazardous compounds that you don’t want in your water supply.

 

 

Contact Plumbing Specialists for a Reliable and Affordable Riverside Plumber

 

If you need an affordable and reliable Riverside plumber, we’re here to help! Contact Plumbing Specialists for all your local plumbing needs.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *