For many people, the drain is often considered one of the best places to discard old food and waste. With the convenience of washing down everything from mouthwash to spaghetti noodles, it can be easy to rely too heavily on the drains. Many household items are prone to clog the pipes, making it important to prevent tossing out a few household items that can jam the drain.
1. Hair
It may seem harmless to wash hair down the drain after shaving or cleaning out a hairbrush, but the strands are difficult to break down and can cause plumping problems. Opt for throwing it in the trash can instead.
2. Coffee Grinds
Coffee grinds are one of the most common household items that are washed down the drain, but gradually build up and block pipes. It also causes small particulate matter to develop and should be tossed in the trash to prevent clogs.
3. Toys
It may not seem like a big deal to have small toys in the bath for your kids, but the products are one of the top items that clog drains and are difficult to retrieve once they go down. Opt for sticking to larger toys that don’t fit down the drain.
4. Flushable Wipes
Although flushable wipes are a popular household item because of how easy they are to dispose, it doesn’t mean that they’re meant for your plumbing system. If you place the wipes in the toilet or sink, you’ll quickly find yourself calling a company like Alberta Water Services to relieve the clog due to the thick material that is unsafe for sewers and septic tanks. Stick to using toilet paper or throw out the wipes manually.
5. Vegetable Peels
Vegetable peels may be biodegradable, but it doesn’t mean that they’re meant to be tossed down the drain. The thick texture and size of the peels make them difficult to wash down, which can cause other food particles to build up with time.
One of the main household conveniences in today’s society is putting items and waste down the drain for a clean home. Although drains are an effective system to removing waste, they can also become clogged with household items that can expand or build up with time. It’s important to respect the drains and become aware of items to keep out of the pipes to prevent the system from becoming having a number of issues.