Many plumbing issues are easy to avoid by keeping certain things out of the drain. Stuff that fills out pipes can cause clogs or erode the inside of the plumbing system, and these issues can quickly become expensive and frustrating.
While it’s easy to just rinse certain things away without thinking about it, there are a few household items you should never wash down the drain. Keeping these things out of your sink, tub, or toilet can save you a lot of hassle in the long run.
Grease and Cooking Oils
Grease and cooking oils might seem harmless when they’re in liquid form, but they will eventually cool down and harden. This makes them one of the biggest hazards for pipes, as they can cause difficult blockages.
Instead of pouring grease down the drain, allow it to cool, and then you can dispose of it in a sealed container in the trash. Even small amounts can accumulate over time, so you should get into the habit of discarding grease properly.
Sanitary Products and Bathroom Chemicals
Sanitary products, such as pads, wet wipes, and even products that claim to be flushable, can cause major plumbing issues when you flush them down the toilet. Because these items absorb liquid, they expand in the pipes rather than break apart when they come into contact with water.
You should also watch out for certain bathroom chemicals, particularly disinfectants. While we obviously use cleaners on our tubs and toilets, these cleaners work best in small amounts. Older disinfectants can have hazardous qualities, so when they expire, you don’t want to pour them down the drain or flush them.
Coffee Grounds
Another household item to never wash down the drain is those morning coffee grounds. It’s really easy to be groggy in the morning and get rid of those grounds by just rinsing them down the sink, but coffee grounds can clump together and cause big problems.
If they clump too much, they can stick to the inside of the pipes and create similar blockages to grease and oil. While degreasers can help grease melt away, coffee grounds have no such equivalent, meaning the problem can actually get worse over time. Consider throwing your coffee grounds away or into a backyard compost pile to provide your yard or garden with essential nutrients.
Preventing clogs and plumbing problems begins with understanding what shouldn’t go down the drain. Taking the extra step to dispose of these items in the trash or compost will keep your plumbing system functioning smoothly and extend the longevity of your home’s pipes.
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