Avoid Discharging These 7 Items into the Drain
Preventing Sewer Disasters: Watch What You Dump Down the Drain
Most of us treat our sinks as the ultimate cleanup spot, flushing away our messes with a quick rinse, never giving it another thought. Unfortunately, common kitchen fixtures that we casually pour down the drain are causing havoc on our pipes, leading to costly plumbing emergencies and environmental damage. Here are seven culprits to avoid.
1. Coffee Grounds: Think Twice Before Dumping
You might think pouring coffee grounds down your sink is no big deal—but you could be making a wallet-draining mistake! Coffee grounds, whose rock-hard consistency is strikingly similar to the pit from a peach or nectarine, will clump together over time, forming a solid mass that catches other food remnants and clogs your pipes.
2. Grease, Oils, and Fats: Don't Mix with Drains
Grease, oils, and fats can join forces to form sewage blockages known as "fatbergs." Don't put any of the following down the sink:
- Grease: bacon, sausage, chicken skin, gravy, and any cooked, melted meat
- Oils: mayonnaise, cooking oil, olive oil, salad dressings, and many sauces
- Fats: butter, milk, cheese, nut butter, and lard
3. Pasta and Rice: Be Mindful of Your Munchies
After cooking pasta or rice, the grains become much larger than their dry counterparts. Given the ability to absorb water, these swollen grains can swiftly block your drain. Even if a stray noodle or grain slips, it's best to avoid sending multiple piles of grainy goodness down the sink for the sake of your plumbing.
4. Flour: A Hidden Plumbing Hazard
While it may seem like an efficient method, flushing down food goods like flour can lead to plumbing nightmares. Once in contact with water, flour coagulates and clings to the edges of pipes, creating a gooey mess that collects other particles and grows into a mammoth clog.
5. Fibrous Vegetables: Be Wary of Stringy Delights
Fibrous vegetables like celery, corn husks, and asparagus have a deceivingly tough texture that can clog up your sink over time. Since their threads can wrap around the blades of trash disposals, allowing them to build up and form a food hairball, it's best to dispose of these items in the trash rather than down the drain.
6. Potato Peels: Be Aware of the Hidden Threat
Potato peels might seem harmless, but they can lead to major drain issues. Just a handful of peels can block a drain due to their high starch content, which allows them to clump together and form a paste-like substance in your pipes.
7. Seeds, Pits, and Kernels: Be Cautious with Leftovers
Did you think a peach pit or apple seed was too small to be a concern? Think again! If they slip down the drain unnoticed, they can cause blockages and necessitate the help of blocked drain specialists. Additionally, unpopped kernels from a popcorn bag can expand in your pipes, leading to a disastrous situation.
To prevent these unpleasant plumbing situations, be mindful of the food items you're washing down the drain and keep your plumbing system in good condition by scheduling regular maintenance. To avoid clogs, use drain screens and remember to run hot water when you're done cleaning up.
Maintaining a healthy plumbing system is essential to prevent costly emergencies and limit environmental damage. For this reason, it's advisable to avoid dumping certain food items such as coffee grounds, grease, oils, fats, pasta, rice, flour, fibrous vegetables, potato peels, seeds, pits, and kernels down the drain. Instead, opt for mindfully disposing of them in the trash to preserve your home's food-and-drink, home-and-garden, and overall lifestyle.
