Drain Safety: Make Sure These Things Never Go Down A Drain
Do you pay attention to the things you toss down the drain? You should always do so for the sake of drain safety. Some things can wreak havoc on your home’s plumbing and the environment. Here are the items that should never go down your plumbing drain.
Greases or Oils
As tempting as it may be to wash all that grease and oil, you should never allow them to go down your drain. When they cool, they solidify and can easily create blockages in pipes. When they get into natural waterways, they can disrupt their balance and interfere with fish and plants.
Paper Products
While toilet paper is developed to break down in water, other paper products such as baby wipes, paper towels, and feminine hygiene products aren’t designed to break apart as easily. They can quickly clog up your pipes.
Pasta
Pasta expands when it mixes with water. It will swell up as it soaks in residual water in the garbage disposal and pipes, eventually causing blockages.
Medication
It may seem rational to crush your unused or expired medication in the garbage disposal or flush it down the toilet, but research has shown that these can end up in drinking water supplies. It’s better to take the pills to the nearest locations offering take-back programs or throw them in the trash after mixing them with unpalatable substances such as coffee grounds or kitty litter.
Drain Cleaners
Liquid drain cleaners contain corrosive chemicals that can damage your pipes over time and result in major plumbing problems. If you want your plumbing cleaned, it’s best to contact a pro.
By not washing or flushing these items down your drain, you’ll reduce the likelihood of needing expensive plumbing repairs.