Four Things You Should Never Put Down The Drain

While you may think that your pipes are impenetrable, there are several things that you should avoid putting down your pipes at all costs to ensure that you don't create clogs or damage them prematurely. If you do, you should be calling for a plumber to perform repairs on a regular basis, most of which is completely avoidable. If you're guilty of putting any the below four things on your drain, it's better to stop it immediately, especially if you have a septic system. Doing so will ensure that your pipes stick around for years to come.

Coffee Grounds

Many homeowners drop coffee grounds down their kitchen sink regularly, innocently thinking that since they're so small, they won't do anything to the drain. In fact, not only can they create clogs by clumping together, but they can also scrape along the inside of your pipes and wear them down, potentially causing leaks. And if you have a septic system, these can be even worse, since they are nearly impossible to get out from amongst the biowaste.

Egg Shells

Food waste is commonly flushed down the drain, and eggshells are usually considered to be a part of that category. Unfortunately, eggshells not only cause clogs very easily because they form perfectly around the edges of the pipe, but their relatively tough exterior means that they're hard to dislodge, especially once they're compacted with other food particles and gunk. Not only that, but the edges can scrape along the interior pipes and spring a water leak, forcing you to call a plumber. This is especially a danger if you have PVC or old copper instead of steel.

Rice

While cooked rice is fine, uncooked rice in any form should never be flushed down the drain, and if you've ever cooked rice, you know why. When you mix rice with water, it clumps up and becomes 2 to 3 times its own size, which can cause blockages in no time. Moreover, since rice can go pretty far down the drain before interacting with a significant source of water, you'll also have a blockage so far down that you'll need to hire a professional to perform plumbing repairs, especially if it's in the main sewer line.

Grease

Perhaps the biggest no-no on this list is food grease. It may look like a liquid when it's poured down the drain, but once it cools, it will harden and form a clog that not only blocks up your pipes but also attracts any food particles nearby. The biggest danger with grease is the fact that is nearly impossible to dislodge from your pipes once it's in there. You'll need to hire a plumber to perform a service like hydro-jetting, which not only cleans the clog but also scrapes the walls of your pipes as well.

For additional information on drains and clogs, reach out to a local plumber.