Are you guilty of pouring unsavory substances down the drain? At the moment, it may have seemed like a convenient option that wouldn’t cause any harm. That’s not necessarily true. For example, pouring cleaning chemicals down a kitchen drain can damage pipes and cause leaks. This could be why leaks in plumbing systems happen in one out of every ten homes in America. Ensure your plumbing system doesn’t leak or clog because you poured hazardous substances down the sink. Below are the top five things you should never pour down the drain.
Eggshells Are Menacing
The problem with eggshells is that the membranes can potentially wrap around a garbage disposal shredder ring and cause damage. Whether you have a disposal or not, tiny pieces of shell get trapped in layers of grease and form a thick, clogging substance. It’s always better to throw eggshells in the trash or use them for composting.
Rice Expands Into a Nasty Problem
Rice expands in water. So if you wash rice down a kitchen drain, it could easily expand in your pipes. The more rice poured down a drain the bigger the problem. You will need to call a plumber for help with rice clogging your pipes.
Don’t Pour Oil Down the Kitchen Sink
Stop! Don’t pour leftover cooking oil down the sink. Nothing is more harmful to your plumbing. When oil and water are mixed, the substance solidifies and causes blockages, clogged drains, backed-up sewers, and otherwise costly repairs such as pipe replacements only a professional plumber can tackle.
Keep Coffee Grounds Out of Your Pipes
Tiny granules of used coffee grounds have a bad habit of sticking to pipes. Even if you don’t pour a ton of grounds down your sink, just a little can build up over time. Coffee grounds are better for the trash bin or composting.
Flammable Substances Should Never Be in Your Pipes
Flammable substances like kerosene, lighter fluid, gasoline, or nail polish remover emit dangerous gases and are corrosive to pipes. Put them in tightly sealed containers and let your local waste collection facility dispose of them.
Use a Plumber for Leaks and Clogs
Don’t pour the wrong substances down the drain. If you have, call your local plumber to get your pipes unclogged, cleaned, and back in great condition. They’re available for 24/7 plumbing emergencies too.
