Clogged drains are a common yet dreaded aspect of owning a property. While access to clean water is a modern convenience we usually take for granted, blocked sinks, tubs, and toilets can disrupt an entire day. Luckily, those in Cookeville, TN, and the surrounding area can call Putnam Plumbing when drainage problems strike. 

Here, they list a few items you should always avoid flushing down the drain:

• Medical Supplies: Be it pills, bandages, cotton swabs, paper towels, feminine products, or dental floss, medical items kept in the bathroom should never go down the drain. Pills can toxify the water system, while bandages, cotton swabs, and floss can get tangled and create a stubborn blockage.
• Fats & Grease: When it comes to the kitchen sink, don’t assume your garbage disposal will solve all your drainage problems. Items like bacon fat and frying oil will slide right through a disposal system when hot, then harden along the pipe walls after cooling.
• Pet Items & Dander: Be it your own or that of your four-legged friend, hair is the number one clogging agent in drainage systems. In fact, shower and tub drains will back up on a regular basis if you don’t use a tool to catch stray strands. This also goes for kitty litter—don’t scoop your cat’s box into the toilet, even if it is conveniently positioned under the sink. And finally—although a trip down the commode is a classic fish funeral cliché—don’t flush small pets down the toilet. Their bodies don’t break down quickly, and the smell can be as horrible as the backup.

To learn more about how to avoid drainage problems in your home, or to fix an existing one, give Putnam Plumbing a call at (931) 520-3569. You can also check out their website for more information.