Keeping your home's plumbing system in good working order is an essential part of being a responsible homeowner. One of the easiest ways to ensure that your plumbing system stays in good condition is to avoid putting certain things down your drain. Here are some of the most common items that should never be put down your drain:
COOKING OIL AND GREASE: One of the most common culprits of drain clogs is cooking oil and grease. When these substances are poured down your drain, they can solidify and cause blockages.
HAIR: Hair is a common culprit of drain clogs because it can become tangled and accumulate in pipes, leading to slow drains or even complete blockages. This can cause water to back up and potentially damage your plumbing system.
COFFEE GROUNDS: Coffee grounds are another common cause of drain clogs. These small particles don't break down easily in water and can create blockages in your pipes.
EGGSHELLS: Eggshells may seem harmless but the membrane on the inside of eggshells can stick to pipes and create blockages.
FRUIT PEELS: The tough, fibrous nature of fruit peels can damage your garbage disposal and create blockages in your pipes.
PASTA AND RICE: Foods like pasta and rice absorb water and can expand in your pipes, creating blockages.
BONES: Bones can damage your garbage disposal and create blockages in your pipes.
FIBROUS VEGETABLES: Vegetables like celery, asparagus, and corn husks can tangle and create blockages in your pipes.
PAPER PRODUCTS: Items like paper towels, napkins, and wipes can create blockages in your pipes and damage your plumbing.
CONDOMS: Condoms should not be flushed down the toilet because they can cause blockages in your plumbing system and harm the environment. Condoms are made of latex or polyurethane, which are not biodegradable materials. When condoms are flushed down the toilet, they can get caught in pipes or sewage systems and cause blockages that can lead to costly plumbing repairs
FEMININE PRODUCTS: It is important not to flush feminine products down the toilet because they can cause significant damage to plumbing systems and sewage treatment facilities. Feminine products such as tampons and sanitary pads are not biodegradable and can cause blockages in pipes, which can lead to costly and messy plumbing problems. In addition, if flushed, these products can make their way to sewage treatment plants, where they can clog equipment and cause backups.
PAINT AND CHEMICALS: Pouring paint and chemicals down your drain can contaminate the water supply and damage your pipes.
FLUSHABLE CAT LITTER: Flushable and standard cat litter can expand in your pipes and create blockages. Cat litter can also contain harmful bacteria that can contaminate the water supply.
MEDICATIONS: Flushing medication down the toilet can have harmful effects on the environment and human health. When medication enters the water supply through the toilet, it can contaminate the water and cause a range of negative effects. Firstly, medication in waterways can harm aquatic life, disrupting the natural ecosystem and harming wildlife. Secondly, medications that end up in the water supply can contaminate drinking water, leading to potential health risks for humans.
DRAIN MAINTENANCE
A simple and safe way to help prevent clogs is by using PlumbRx - Drain Opening Cups. PlumbRx features a powerful plant-based surfactant and other proprietary ingredients to easily dissolve the toughest clogs and keep drains free flowing. PlumbRx Drain Opening Cups are pre-measured to eliminate any guessing or messes. The non-toxic, non-caustic powdered formula is safe to use in sinks, tubs, toilets, and all types of pipes including cast iron, pvc, clay and galvanized steel.
PREVENTION
By being mindful of what you put down your drain, you can help keep your plumbing system in good working order and avoid costly repairs down the line. Remember, prevention is always better than cure when it comes to your home's plumbing system!