Tips for Household Waste That Should Never Go Down the Drain
Dumping household waste down the drain is easy to do, but do you know how much damage it can cause to your plumbing and sewage system? Sure, pouring bacon grease down the sink after cooking is convenient, but even the smallest amount of waste can lead to major plumbing issues and leave you with a costly repair bill down the line.
Improper waste disposal in your toilet or sink can result in clogged pipes, backed up drains, and other plumbing malfunctions. These appliance systems have their limits, and even though these boundaries are often pushed on a regular basis, your home’s piping is not indestructible.
To prevent future plumbing disasters, consider these items that should never go down your drains:
• Diapers and Feminine Hygiene Products: While obvious to some, pipes clogged from diapers and feminine hygiene products are more common than you’d think. Once they get stuck, you will most likely have to call a professional plumbing service. A plunger alone won’t save you; removing them yourself can be costly and cause further damage your plumbing system.
• Hair and Dental Floss: Hair will always make its way down the drain, no matter how hard you try to keep it out. A few strands here and there are no big deal, but the more the hair builds up, the bigger the clog will be. Dental floss acts in a similar way and both can stick to your pipes and drains on their way down.
• Fat, Oil, and Grease: It may be easy to dump leftover cooking grease down the drain but doing so can wreak havoc on your plumbing down the line. Did you know that these materials harden and congeal as they cool? As they travel down your drain, they stick to the sides of your pipes and harden, catching other materials on their way down that can lead to major clogs. When introduced to public sewer systems, they mix with other particles and debris as well. This not only damages public infrastructure, but it can also affect our water supply.
• Paper Goods: Toilet paper is designed to dissolve in water, making it easy to flush in small amount. Paper goods such as paper towels, cotton balls, swabs, and similar products are not designed this way. Once they get wet, these paper goods can accumulate in your drains and pipes and result in a blockage.
• Coffee Grounds: Not even your sink’s garbage disposal can handle your coffee grounds. They are a major cause of household clogs, and any plumber will tell you to simply dispose of them in the trash.
• Egg Shells, Bones, and Hard Food Waste: Your garbage disposal can shred these types of food waste with ease, but it’s still likely that they can cause a clog in your system. It’s best practice to toss these items in the trash or a compost pile to prevent damage to your home’s plumbing system.
Clogged Drains? Leaky Pipes? Avoid a Plumbing Emergency
Choose Paradigm Plumbing
Follow these easy cleanup tips to help prevent clogged pipes and plumbing mishaps. In the event of a plumbing emergency, contact the plumbing experts at Paradigm Plumbing of Palm Beach County. For fast and professional plumbing service, give us a call today at 561-841-9008 and learn more about what our team can do for you.
