4 Items Commonly Thrown Down the Kitchen Drain That Can Cause Plumbing Issues

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William Creamer • May 26, 2019
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Close-up of a metal drain or sink strainer against a white surface

Clogged drains are inconvenient to everyone who has experienced them. Although it can be a simple issue, having the problem fixed can be costly as well. What most people are unaware of, or are conveniently ignoring, however, is that a clogged drain is a preventable problem. You shouldn’t be throwing anything down the drain that could cause it to become jammed in the first place. Here are four of the most common things that people throw into the kitchen sink that can result in them having to call the plumber for help:

(1) Food scraps

Food scraps such as potato peels, rice, pasta, and chicken bones are one of the biggest causes of clogged drains. Vegetable peels and chunks of leftover food can be big enough to block your sink’s pipe. These objects can also accumulate at the U-shaped trap of your sink’s drain pipe, obstructing the flow of drain water. Instead of throwing scraps of food into your sink, set up a compost pit in your yard so that you can turn the leftovers into a fertilizer for your garden.

(2) Grease

What do people do with the extra oil and grease after they fry their food? They make the mistake of disposing these fluids into the kitchen sink or the toilet. After all, the sink is near, and oil is a slippery fluid so it will flow away smoothly, right?

Wrong! For one, grease is less dense than water so it will not sink. It is also more viscous than water, which makes it prone to sticking. When oil sticks to the inner surface of your drain pipes, it will solidify eventually, where it can then accumulate and clog your pipes. Grease is expensive to remove because the plumber needs special chemicals and has to exert laborious effort to eliminate it from your pipes.

Instead of throwing your used cooking oil in the sink, wait for it to cool. Then, transfer the grease from your pan unto a sealable non-recyclable container which you can dispose along with your house’s other garbage. If you are going to wash oily cooking utensils, wipe them with a paper towel first.

(3) Crushed eggshells

Many people are unaware that throwing their eggshells into the kitchen drain instead of the garbage bag can do a lot more damage than they would think. The consequence of this choice is predictable: clogged drains. Eggshells will obstruct the drain pipe as they do not flow along with the drain water. Instead, they float and stick into the insides of your pipes, causing the flow to be obstructed. Save yourself and your sink the hassle by throwing your eggshells straight into the garbage bin after you crack the eggs open for your morning scramble.

(4) Batter and flour

People often scrape off the excess batter from their baking bowls, throwing them into the kitchen sink and rinsing it away. The problem with doing this is that batter flour forms solid balls of sticky powder that float and attach themselves on your pipe’s inner surfaces, contributing to clogging. If you have excess flour powder or batter, throw it into the trash can and not into your sink.

Clogged pipes? Have a plumber come over!

With the awareness of what causes plumbing obstructions, you can avoid these issues in the future. If you read this article just a little too late, however, you can call a plumber to eliminate the clog. DIY solutions can only lead to worse damage, so you must leave clogged drains to the hands of a plumbing expert.

Fast Az Services is one of the most reputable home repair services in Alabama. Contact us today for any inquiries.

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