We all tend to take our drains for granted, assuming they will handle whatever we throw at them. However, if you regularly flush, rinse, or wash things down the drain that shouldn’t be there, you may soon discover that things are not as simple as they seem. These seemingly harmless actions could lead to big plumbing problems.
When a drain is clogged, you will likely notice that water drains more slowly than usual. This may seem like a minor inconvenience at first, but if left unaddressed, this gradual slowdown can eventually result in a total blockage, leaving water standing in your sink or tub.
Aside from slow-draining water, a further noticeable sign that your drain is clogged is foul odours. The accumulation of debris, grease, and food particles in the pipes creates the perfect environment for bacteria to thrive, and these bacteria release unpleasant smells that can permeate your home.
Another common indicator of potential drain blockage is the presence of gurgling sounds, which occur when water struggles to flow through narrowed or partially blocked pipes.
In more severe cases, water may even start to back up into sinks, toilets, or showers, which is a serious sign that a clog has reached a critical point, and you have a plumbing emergency on your hands.
Items You Should Always Avoid Putting Down Your Drain
If you want to avoid dealing with the layered plumbing issues that clogged drains can cause, the best thing you can do for your drains is to be more conscious of what you put down them.
Certain items can wreak havoc on your plumbing, leading to the necessity for costly repairs. Thus, understanding what not to put down your drain is crucial if you want to maintain the health and efficiency of your plumbing system.
Let’s review some things that you should never put down your drain if you want to avoid dealing with clogs.
1. Cooking oil
It is tempting to pour leftover cooking oil down the drain after a meal, but this can lead to serious plumbing issues. As oil cools, it solidifies and sticks to the walls of your pipes, where it mixes with food debris and grease to form stubborn clogs.
To avoid the need for costly repairs, always dispose of cooking oils in sealed containers and take them to a recycling centre instead of flushing them down the drain.
2. Medication
It may seem harmless to dispose of expired or unused medications by pouring them down the drain, but this practice can cause long-lasting harm. Many medications, such as pills and syrups, do not dissolve quickly and can contribute to blockages in your plumbing.
The best way to safely dispose of old medicines is to follow local disposal guidelines, such as using medication take-back programs or discarding them in the trash, but never down the sink.
3. Rice
It might seem like a harmless food to wash down the drain, but rice—whether cooked or uncooked—can cause severe plumbing problems. When rice absorbs water, it swells and clumps together, making it difficult for your pipes to carry water through smoothly. To prevent blockages, always dispose of rice in your green bin rather than letting it go down the drain.
4. Paint
Paint should never be washed down your drain, as it contains harmful chemicals that can pollute the environment and clog your plumbing. Even small amounts of leftover paint can cause severe blockages and contaminate your local water supply. Dispose of paints at local hazardous waste facilities to keep both your plumbing and the environment safe.
5. Fruit peels
Peels from fruits like oranges, lemons, and bananas may seem like they would naturally decompose, but they can quickly clog your drains. Even small pieces of peel can get stuck in your pipes and create blockages, especially when combined with other debris. Instead of washing them down the drain, throw fruit peels in the green bin for proper disposal.
6. Hair
Hair is one of the most common causes of drain blockages, especially in bathrooms. Since hair does not dissolve in water, it can quickly accumulate in pipes, creating thick clogs that are difficult to remove. Instead of letting hair go down the drain, use drain screens to catch hair and dispose of it in the trash.
7. Cleaning products
While it might seem like a good idea to wash cleaning products down the drain, these substances contain harsh chemicals that can damage your plumbing over time and pollute the environment.
Many cleaning products contain ingredients that are harmful to aquatic life and water treatment facilities. Dispose of cleaning supplies according to the instructions on their packaging, ensuring they do not end up in your drains.
8. Flour
Flour may seem like a harmless substance to dispose of down the drain, but it can cause serious plumbing issues. When mixed with water, flour forms a thick paste that can quickly clog pipes and create buildup that is difficult to remove. Always discard flour in the green bin rather than risking a plumbing emergency.
9. Coffee grounds
Coffee grounds are yet another small and seemingly harmless substance to rinse down the sink, but they are one of the leading causes of clogged drains. Once they go down the drain, coffee grounds can combine with other particles to form a thick sludge that is difficult to remove. Always dispose of coffee grounds in your green bin to keep your pipes clear and functioning.
10. Eggshells
Eggshells may appear small and insignificant, but they can cause blockages when disposed of in the drain. Even cracked shells can get stuck in your pipes and contribute to a clog. Instead of rinsing eggshells down the sink, dispose of them in the green recycling bin or use them for composting to avoid plumbing problems.
How Rooter-Man Can Help You Manage Clogged Drains With High Pressure Drain Cleaning Services
If you have started to notice any of the signs mentioned above that indicate your drains are clogged and you want to unclog them before they lead to major plumbing issues, you can count on Rooter-Man for reliable high pressure drain cleaning services.
Our plumbers in Oakville can help you tackle even the toughest clogs by offering an innovative solution with high-pressure hot water drain line cleaning (also known as hydro jetting). This will quickly break down and eliminate any blockages you may have.
This powerful technique uses a stream of pressurized hot water to penetrate even the toughest grease and sludge, clearing out hardened scale, debris, and anything else that may be clocking your pipes.
With our highly effective hydro jetting method, we can ensure that your plumbing is cleaned thoroughly without the use of harsh chemicals, making it an eco-friendly choice.
The precision and speed of our hydro jetting equipment reduce the need for multiple service visits, which means less disruption to your daily operations and less money spent on repairs.
Whether you need a simple drain cleaning or a full-scale drain repair in Oakville, our experienced technicians with years of industry experience have the knowledge, tools (like drain cleaning snakes), and expertise to handle it all.
For more information about our high pressure drain cleaning service, or to learn more about the range of other plumbing services we can provide, such as drain snaking in Oakville, call Rooter-Man a 1-888-828-ROOT (7668) or contact us here.
