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What Not to Put Down the Drain to Prevent Clogs

What Not to Put Down the Drain to Prevent Clogs

Every homeowner wants to avoid clogged drains. Knowing what not to put down the drain to prevent clogs can save you time, money, and hassle. Many people don’t realize that common household items can cause big plumbing problems. By learning about these items, you can protect your home’s plumbing system and avoid costly repairs.

Why It Matters

Your home’s drains are designed to handle liquids, but not all liquids or solids are safe. Putting the wrong things down the drain can lead to blockages, bad odors, and even damage to your plumbing system. Understanding what not to put down the drain helps with drain clog prevention and keeps your pipes flowing smoothly.

Top Things You Should Never Put Down the Drain to Avoid Plumbing Problems​

What Not to Put Down the Drain to Prevent Clogs

Fats, Oils, and Grease

Fats, oils, and grease are common in the kitchen. After cooking, many people pour hot grease down the drain in kitchen sinks, thinking it will wash away. However, as these substances cool, they solidify, sticking to the inner walls of pipes. Over time, this buildup narrows the pipe’s passage, leading to stubborn blockages. In severe cases, it can cause sewer backups and expensive plumbing repairs.

Why It’s Bad:

  • Clogs and Blockages: The sticky residue from fats, oils, and grease catches other debris, forming stubborn clogs.
  • Environmental Impact: When washed into the sewer system, these substances contribute to fatbergs—large, solid masses that block public sewer lines.

What to do instead:

  • Cool and Dispose: Let fats, oils, and grease cool and harden, then scrape them into a container and throw them in the trash.
  • Reuse or Recycle: Some cooking oils can be reused for frying or baking. Alternatively, check for local recycling programs for used cooking oil.

Coffee Grounds

Many people assume coffee grounds are harmless because they are small and granular. However, they don’t dissolve in water. Instead, they clump together, forming a thick sludge that sticks to the inside of pipes. When combined with fats, oils, and grease, coffee grounds create a stubborn clog that’s difficult to remove.

Why It’s Bad:

  • Sticky Sludge: Coffee grounds mix with grease to form a sludge-like substance that slows down water flow.
  • Pipe Damage: Over time, the accumulation of coffee grounds can corrode pipes, leading to leaks and costly repairs.

What to do instead:

  • Compost: Coffee grounds are excellent for composting as they enrich the soil with nitrogen.
  • Trash Disposal: If composting isn’t an option, simply toss them in the trash.

Eggshells

It’s easy to assume that eggshells would break down in the garbage disposal. However, they break into tiny, sharp pieces that stick to other debris, forming clogs. The membrane inside the shell can also wrap around the disposal’s blades, reducing its efficiency.

Why It’s Bad:

  • Sharp Fragments: Eggshell fragments catch other waste, creating stubborn blockages.
  • Garbage Disposal Damage: The membrane can tangle around the disposal’s blades, damaging the motor.

What to do instead:

  • Compost: Eggshells are great for compost as they provide calcium to plants.
  • Trash Disposal: If you don’t compost, simply throw them in the trash.

Pasta and Rice

Pasta and rice expand when exposed to water. Even after cooking, they continue to absorb moisture and swell. If they go down the drain, they can clog pipes by expanding and forming a starchy paste. This paste sticks to the pipe walls, attracting other debris and leading to blockages.

Why It’s Bad:

  • Expansion in Pipes: Pasta and rice swell with water, blocking the flow in pipes.
  • Starchy Residue: The sticky starch coats pipes, making it easier for other debris to get trapped.

What to do instead:

  • Use a Sink Strainer: A sink strainer catches pasta and rice, preventing them from entering the pipes.
  • Trash Disposal: Discard the collected food particles in the trash.

Condoms

Can a condom clog a toilet? Yes, it can. Condoms are made of latex or polyurethane, materials that do not break down in water. When flushed, they can easily cause blockages in both residential plumbing and public sewer systems. Worse, they can tangle with other waste, creating massive clogs that require professional removal.

Why It’s Bad:

  • Non-Biodegradable: Condoms don’t break down, leading to long-term blockages.
  • Environmental Impact: Flushed condoms can end up in oceans, harming marine life.

What to do instead:

  • Wrap and Dispose: Wrap used condoms in tissue or a paper bag and throw them in the trash.

More Items to Avoid

  • Flushable Wipes: Despite the label, “flushable” wipes don’t break down like toilet paper. They can get stuck in pipes and cause severe blockages.
  • Paper Towels and Tissues: These are thicker than toilet paper and do not dissolve easily, leading to clogs.
  • Medications and Chemicals: Flushing medications or chemicals can pollute water sources and harm the environment.
  • Produce Stickers: These small stickers do not dissolve and can stick to pipes, causing blockages.

Drain Clog Prevention Tips

  • Use Sink Strainers: These catch food, hair, and other debris before they go down the drain.
  • Dispose of Waste Properly: Put food scraps, fats, and oils in the trash, not down the drain or drain in kitchen.
  • Educate Your Household: Make sure everyone knows what not to put down the drain to prevent clogs.

What to Do If You Have a Clogged Drain

If water is draining slowly or not at all, try using a plunger or drain snake. Avoid chemical drain cleaners, as they can damage your pipes. If the clog persists, call a professional plumber.

Protect Your Plumbing System

Your home’s plumbing is designed to handle liquids, but not everything should go down the drain. By being careful about what you dispose of, you can prevent clogs and costly repairs. Remember, proper drain clog prevention keeps your plumbing system running smoothly. Keep these tips in mind and protect your home’s pipes today!

Call Derks Plumbing for Expert Drain Cleaning in Los Angeles

At Derks Plumbing Company Inc., we understand the frustration of clogged drains and the importance of keeping your plumbing system running smoothly. Our team of experienced plumbers specializes in Drain Cleaning in Los Angeles, providing fast, reliable, and effective solutions for all types of clogs.

Fast and Efficient Plumbing Services in Los Angeles

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Derks Plumbing has been providing professional plumbing services to Los Angeles residents for over 20 years. Our experience and strong reputation have allowed us to grow, and we are proud to serve customers in 15 nearby areas, including Venice, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, and more.

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