What Substances Can Clog My Pipes?

There are many different things that can go down your drain that will cause a clog. A plumber will tell you that you do not need to put most waste down the drain. You should make sure that you know what is safe to go down the drain to help avoid drain clogs.

Fruit Peels

It is imperative that you never allow fruit peels to go down the drain. Many people think it is ok to put them in the garbage disposal. But, they are too tough for the garbage disposal to deal with. If you cannot eat the fruit skin, do not put it in your garbage disposal.

Fibrous and Starchy Foods

Starchy and fibrous food can include potatoes, onion skin, celery, corn, and artichokes. You should never put these down the garbage disposal. This is because they can expand once they are in the disposal. This food may warp the blades, causing a clog.

Grease

Grease is one of the biggest problems plumbers see today. People think that because the grease is hot, that it will be ok to pour down the drain line. But, when that grease dries, it becomes solid. It can create a major drain clog in a short amount of time.

Cotton Swabs and Feminine Products

You should never flush cotton swabs and feminine products down the toilet. They do not break up and can create clogs in the pipes. Often, these clogs can be so severe that they cause a backup inside the house.

Flushable Wipes

You should never flush flushable wipes down your toilet. Yes, it says on the label that they are flushable, but the truth is, that once they are in your drain line, they can cause a clog. They can also cause issues for your septic system.

Cat Litter

Some people have made the mistake of flushing cat litter down the toilet. You should never do this. Once the cat litter gets wet, it clumps and causes clogs.

Egg Shells

You may have heard that you can sharpen the blades on your garbage disposal by putting eggshells down it. Never do this. The egg shell membrane will do damage to your disposal, and the eggshells will clog the pipes over time.

Hair and Dental Floss

One of the most common clogs of bathtubs is hair. Hair gets wrapped around the drain line, and can be a mess to clean up. You should never put dental floss down the sink because it acts like hair. To reduce these issues, your plumber may suggest putting a cover over your drains in the bathtub and sink.

Call Us Today

Learning what can clog your drain line can help you to avoid pipe issues. If you find that you have a clog in your pipes, please give Robert Bair a call today. Our team of plumbing experts are here to help you with all your plumbing needs. Never wait too long to address a clogged pipe, as you do not want to deal with backups in your home.