Avoid Clogged Drains: What Not to Pour Down Your Drain

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Avoid Clogged Drains: What Not
to Pour Down Your Drain
B L O G  |  A  B E T T E R  P L U M B E R
https://abetterplumberco.com/
It’s the little things you send down the
drain that end up becoming the worst
problems in the future.
People tend to ignore the limits of their
plumbing systems because they aren’t
visible. Out of sight, out of mind, right?
Wrong.
While it’s convenient to flush everything
away, 
abusing 
the plumbing 
system
eventually leads to failure. All this does is
inconvenience everyone involved and lead to
potential health problems. Getting sick and
suffering from poor water quality because
you let your hair run in the shower for too
long is the last thing anyone wants.
It doesn’t take much for a clogged drain to
escalate. Whether it’s slow drainage, leaks,
flooding, or sewage problems, all it takes is a
single mishandled strand of hair to get the ball
rolling. Prevention comes from being aware of
the causes of clogged drains.
Here’s a handy list of everything you should
never pour down your drain:
1. Hair
Hair is a leading cause of blockages. Strands
quickly form clumps when combined with
sticky substances. While you can’t control
hair loss, you can prevent it from going
down the drain by using a simple drain
screen or tweezers after every bath.
2. Soap
Soap scum forms when a bar is exposed to
hard, mineral-rich water for a prolonged
period. When it builds up, it becomes difficult
to remove, creating clogs and bacteria
breeding grounds.
It’s because of this that liquid soaps are
notably gentler on the plumbing system. Bars
tend to leave a thin film, which can also stop
the flow of water.
3. Food, Oil, Grease, and Fat
Can you pour oil down the drain? What about
grease; can you put grease down the drain?
After all, isn’t it what the garbage disposal is
meant to do? No. It’s far more beneficial to
throw these undesirables into the trash can
instead. Oil, grease, and fat buildup can
potentially block water flow.
“But, they’re liquid, so shouldn’t it be fine if I
dump it with hot water?”
Doing this only hastens the coagulation
process and hardens said liquids, creating
blockages that are impossible to clear
without professional tools. Instead, put them
in a melt- and leak-proof container, allow
them to cool, and dispose of them elsewhere.
Depending on where you 
live, some
businesses and institutions accept and
recycle them as well.
Eggshells,
Uncooked rice,
Coffee grounds,
Flour, and
Pasta.
Other food items to avoid allowing down the
drain are:
4. Bleach
Can you pour bleach down the drain? Despite
being a cleaning product, bleach should not be
disposed of in a drain. When bleach is exposed
to other cleaning products containing ammonia,
it forms chloramine gas. Its fume causes
irritation and poses various health risks.
5. Leftover Paint
Paint contains chemicals. When dumped
into the sink, it can contaminate the soil
and water and potentially harden inside
your pipes. Let it dry instead, then throw it
in the trash.
6. Motor Oil
Besides the clogs it can form, used motor oil
pollutes 
the 
environment. 
In 
fact,
irresponsible disposal is already deemed
illegal in some places. If you need to dispose
of it, call your local waste center.
7. “Flushable” Wipes, Paper Towels, and
Cotton Balls
Despite what the name suggests, wet wipes
are always better off in the trash than your
toilet.
Paper towels and cotton balls are designed to
absorb water, so, by default, they don’t
dissolve and break down fast enough to avoid
clogging. You only exacerbate the problem by
disposing of them in the toilet or any other
drain regularly.
8. Feminine Products and Cosmetic
Debris
These do not dissolve in water. Tampons
expand when exposed to moisture, and
condoms are made of rubber, which is not
biodegradable.
Tissue may be soft, and cosmetic debris (e.g.,
powder, foundation) may be small, but these
can pile up in large quantities. By the time you
realize something’s off with your plumbing,
you may already be several months too late.
Your plumbing system works day and
night, but it isn’t meant to last forever. By
simply choosing to dispose of your waste
in a trash can, you’re safeguarding both
your pipes and your finances from
drowning.
Are you worried that you’re guilty of any of
the acts previously mentioned? Call us at A
Better Plumber for an inspection. Having
been in the business for a decade, we will
help your plumbing system breathe again.
We’ll send in the best plumber serving
Thornton, CO, and offer fair and affordable
pricing! Customer satisfaction and labor
warranty are guaranteed. Call us at 720-
579-8133, and schedule an appointment
now!
csr@abetterplumberco.com
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