Household drains see a lot of abuse. As homeowners, we dump things into drains that we shouldn't, then dump harsh chemicals into them when they get clogged, and then get mad when we finally resolve to call the friendly neighborhood plumber. While all drains become clogged after a while, there are certain things that should never be introduced to a drain at all. To avoid any costly repairs in the future, remember the following 4 unexpected things that can clog your drains.
1. Grease
Grease looks like a liquid, but it solidifies once the temperature drops. The pipes in the walls of your home tend to be cooler than the kitchen where you do your cooking. Any grease that gets poured down your drain has a good chance of becoming solid and causing a blockage. The same idea applies to anything that contains fats like meat trimmings, butter, and ice cream. Instead of pouring your grease into the sink, transfer it to a disposable container. When it cools and becomes solid, toss the container into the trash.
2. Coffee Grounds
Even with a garbage disposal, food particles that down break down can eventually pile up and cause a blockage. Things like coffee grounds, tea leaves, and eggshells don’t dissolve in water, so they should never be washed into a drain. Rather than putting food in the garbage disposal, consider using a compost bin.
3. “Flushable” Wipes
These days, a lot of baby and personal-care wipes advertise themselves as being “flushable” when they’re not. While these types of wipes can be physically flushed into a toilet, they don’t dissolve as quickly as toilet paper. Eventually, several wipes can clump together in the pipes and cause major problems.
4. Flour
Flour can turn thick and pasty once it’s mixed with water. Dumping flour into your drain means you’re introducing it to the wettest, wateriest environment in your house. You won’t be able to un-mix any paste that ends up clogging your pipes, so it’s best to put any and all leftover flour in the regular trash.
If you have a clogged drain on your hands, the last thing you want to do is introduce any DIY quick-fixes that could make the problem worse. Instead, do it the right way first, and contact one of the professional drain experts at Performance Plumbing.
