If you’re like most people, you take your freely flowing drains for granted — after all, if they’re working properly, there’s nothing to worry about, right? Unfortunately, it’s that kind of thought process that leads to persistent drain clogs, and if you don’t alter the way you treat your drains, you’ll inevitably end up with severe blockages somewhere down the line.
At Drain Blaster Bill’s Sewer and Drain Cleaning, we know most people have long-standing habits when it comes to their drains. We also know that many of those habits are detrimental to the health of household plumbing systems. To help you alter your approach to proactive drain maintenance, we’re digging into five of the most common drain-clogging habits, and why they’re terrible for your plumbing. Are you guilty of these non-negotiable no-nos?
Using Your In-Sink Disposal as a Trash Bin
Though your garbage disposal may be capable of grinding up just about anything it encounters, that doesn’t mean it’s designed for that purpose. The same idea applies to the drain in which your disposal sits. Just because pulverized food waste can flow into the pipe, that doesn’t mean it won’t wreak havoc on the drain once it has time to sit.
If you’re prone to using your disposal as a catch-all trash can, it’s time to break that bad habit. To prevent a nasty sink drain blockage, avoid stuffing the following items down your disposal:
● Fibrous vegetables and fruits.
● Coffee grounds
● Eggshells and nutshells
● Oil, grease, or cooking fat
● Bones
● Starchy foods like potato peels, bread, rice, and pasta
Each of the above items leaves significant residue along the interior of your pipes, which can trap and collect incoming waste. Over time, the drain begins to form a thick, gluey paste that’ll prevent even plain water from flowing through freely.
Flushing Trash Down the Toilet
Toilets are for digestive system waste and toilet paper — nothing else. Ever. And, even though most people are well aware of that fact, they continue to flush their trash, even though their sewer systems are not designed to handle it.
If you have a septic system, it can easily clog when you flush foreign objects down the toilet because those items cannot dissolve in water. And, depending on what you’re prone to flushing, those items can lodge themselves within the toilet drain and prevent additional human waste from flowing through. If you’re guilty of this bad habit, do your best to avoid flushing the following items:
● Paper towels
● Wipes — even if the package says they’re flushable
● Feminine products
● Cotton balls and swabs
● Hair
● Diapers — surprisingly, people do flush those
Performing Prep Work Over the Sink
It’s never a great idea to perform any type of prep work over the sink because such a wide variety of objects can lead to drain clogs. Whether you’re in the kitchen or the bathroom, avoid conducting these activities in or over the sink:
● Bathing your pets
● Preparing food
● Shaving and sweeping the trimmings down the drain
● Cleaning paintbrushes
● Using powdery cosmetics
● Cleaning oily or greasy items
When hair, cosmetics, paint, food, or grease travel into the drain, they leave behind a sticky residue that can trap other particles flowing into the pipe. Over time, this collection of sticky goo can harden, creating a tough drain blockage that prevents normal flow.
Washing Muddy or Sandy Clothing & Linens
If you live by the beach or have kids that love to play in the dirt, always make sure you shake off sand and mud before tossing apparel and linens in the washing machine. When you wash sandy linens or apparel that’s caked in dirt, that debris travels through the washer drain and accumulates over time. When excessive sand and dirt build up, they not only clog your laundry drain but can also prevent your washer from functioning properly.
Foregoing Drain Strainers
Last but definitely not least, let’s talk about the critical importance of drain strainers. If you’re not currently taking advantage of them, why not? Drain strainers are a super simple way to prevent drain-clogging debris from ever entering your pipes, and they’re super affordable, too.
If you don’t have drain strainers already, there’s no time like the present to get your hands on a few. Simply head to your local home improvement store and inquire about the appropriate size strainers for each drain in your home. When you install strainers, just be sure to empty them frequently so water can flow freely through.
Got a Stubborn Drain Clog? Contact Drain Blaster Bill Today
When you’ve got drain clogs that won’t let up, Drain Blaster Bill’s Sewer & Drain Cleaning is just a phone call away. Whether your sink or toilet clogged, your main sewer drain clogged, or you’re dealing with stubborn laundry drain blockages, our team is ready to set your drains straight. We specialize in a variety of advanced drain cleaning and inspection techniques, so no matter how great the clog, we can tackle it. To learn more about our services or to schedule your appointment, give our team a call at 763-913-8719 or send us a message on our contact page. For your convenience, you can also request your free service estimate online.