The Worst Things You Can Put Down Your Drains

With over 20 years in the plumbing industry, we’ve seen a lot of crazy things go down drains that shouldn’t have. Your drains and garbage disposal are essential to your plumbing system that you do not want to disrupt. Avoid clogs and protect your pipes by learning about what should stay out of your drains. If it’s too late, you can always count on EJ Plumbing to get you out of your sticky situation.\

In the kitchen

Your garbage disposal is comprised of a motor and a strong flywheel that works as a shredder to grind up food. Despite some horror movies, your disposal is not made up of sharp blades that can cut through anything. Instead, the component is called an impeller, and it has limits as to what it can pulverize. With this in mind, here are the items that should never go down your kitchen drain:

Fats, oil, and grease– Avoid putting these substances down your drains at all costs. You might think it’s okay because they’re liquids, but they coagulate and can clog up your system.

Rice and pasta– If you’ve ever cooked with either of these foods, then you know they expand in water. It’s best to throw your leftovers out in the trash to avoid a blockage in your drains.

Fibrous foods– Anything stringy such as banana peels, eggshells, or celery can be hard on your shredder. The pulp can get tangled around the impeller and prevent it from working properly.

Hard foods– Bones, fruit pits, and seeds should be tossed out in the trash. Your garbage disposal cannot grind these items, and you can jam your flywheel if you try.

Medication– Do not throw away your old or expired medicines down the drain. Some ingredients include chemicals that can negatively impact the water surrounding you.

As you can see, these appliances can be quite vulnerable. It’s best to toss these items out in your trash!

In the bathroom

Be careful about what you flush down the toilet. Even if it looks like it’ll fit through the opening, items can get caught in your pipes. Avoid items such as:

• Baby wipes
• Cat litter
• Cotton balls and pads
• Hair from your brush
• Paper towels
• Feminine hygiene products
• Food
• Cigarette butts
• Chemical drain cleaners

To be safe, it’s best only to flush down human waste and toilet paper.

Contact EJ Plumbing

By understanding what cannot go down your drains, you help ensure the longevity of your plumbing system. If you are experiencing any clogs, backups, or slow draining, contact EJ Plumbing. Our technicians are well prepared to tackle any plumbing problem. Schedule an appointment with us online or call us at .