7 Things to Keep Out of Your Drain

When you pour something down your drain, in the garbage disposal, or in the toilet it’s out of sight and out of mind. Unfortunately, many items will remain inside of the drain leading to clogs that will damage your home’s plumbing. Knowing what not to put down the drain could save you from spending money on costly repairs.

1. Coffee – Sure, pour that cold cup of coffee down the drain, but do not dump the grounds into the sink. Coffee grounds are tied with grease as the number one cause of clogged drains in kitchen sinks.
2. Grease/Oil – You had to know that this would be next on the list since it does share the number one spot of causing clogged drains. Any type of grease or oil, including melted fat from meat or used cooking oil, should always be thrown out rather than dumped. Collect the contents in a container, freeze it, and throw it out the night before garbage pickup arrives.
3. Eggshells – Just because they break up easily doesn’t mean they should go down the drain. Since eggshells can break up so easily they can mix with other items like grease or oil. This will make the concoction within the drain even thicker and harder to unclog.
4. Paper Towels – The job of paper towels is to absorb liquids and clean messes. If you flush these absorbent paper products then you are almost guaranteed to experience a clogged toilet. The same goes for items like cotton balls and most “flushable” wipes.
5. Paint – Whether the paint is oil or water-based, they should never be poured down the drain. Even just washing off brushes can be hazardous to your drain as well as your city’s water ecosystems.
6. Car Fluids – Fluids from cars like motor oil or antifreeze should never be disposed of within a house. The harmful chemicals can damage your plumbing, the water ecosystem, and cause all kinds of clogging nightmares.
7. Medications – While pouring pills into your pipes won’t harm your plumbing system, it will affect the waterways within your city. Rather than flushing unused medication, take it to a pharmacy for proper disposal.

Keeping certain items out of your plumbing will not only prevent clogs, but prevent your wallet from losing weight! When you need a plumber to remove a clog, contact the professionals at Lancaster Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical. To learn more, or to schedule an appointment, give us a call at (717) 207-8198.