Modern drains are tough and able to endure quite the workload from your busy home. But they aren’t indestructible. How you use your drain — specifically what you put in it — can shorten the life of your pipes and increase the likelihood of needing professional plumbing help.
So, here are the dos and don’ts for your household drains:
Dont’s
Fats, Oils and Grease — These can solidify and coat the inside of your pipes, leading to blockages. Even liquid grease will solidify when it cools down. Instead, scrape these into the trash, and wipe greasy pans with paper towels.
Coffee Grounds — Grounds can clump together like concrete in pipes, causing blockages. Throw them in the trash instead.
Hair — This is more of an issue in bathrooms, but hair can bind with soap scum and other debris to form stubborn clogs. Try drain covers/strainers and regularly clean your stoppers.
“Flushable” Wipes (and other hygiene products) — “Flushable” and “dissolvable” aren’t synonyms. These items don’t break down like toilet paper and can cause massive clogs in home pipes and municipal sewer systems.
Food Scraps (even small ones) — Unless you have a powerful garbage disposal, food scraps can accumulate, rot and cause clogs and odors. Scrape those plates into the trash before putting them in the sink.
Chemicals (harsh drain cleaners, paint, solvents, medications) — Harsh drain cleaners can damage pipes (especially older ones), are corrosive and often just push clogs further down. They also pose a safety risk to homeowners and plumbers.
Dos
Water — Well, that’s a relief.
Liquid Soaps & Detergents — These are designed for use in sinks, after all.
Toilet Paper — Designed to break down with prolonged exposure to water.
When to Call a Plumber
When you see the following, it’s time to call a professional:
- Slow drains that don’t respond to home remedies
- Recurring clogs
- Multiple clogged fixtures
- Unpleasant odors coming from drains
- Gurgling noises
- Water backing up
