Although most plumbing problems are located in the pipes, they are often caused by what goes down the drain. Blockages and line damage are very frequently attributed to items that homeowners have tried to flush down their drains.

While drain cleaning regularly is important to maintaining your pipes and ensuring they have a long lifespan, you might not have to clean them so frequently, or call a plumber for repairs, if you avoid putting certain items in your drain, especially those listed below:

Bleach

You might be under the impression that bleach is an excellent drain cleaning tool and can cure any odd smells that might be coming from your plumbing. Unfortunately, it often does just the opposite. Since it is a toxic substance, it can react poorly with other items that have already been flushed down your drains. This can make the odor problem worse or cause any blockages forming to get bigger.

Coffee Grounds

The second biggest offender most plumbers catch homeowners putting down their drains is coffee grounds. When coffee grounds are wet, they create a sludge-like nightmare that makes it almost impossible for water to penetrate, causing you to waste a lot of water trying to clean your pipes. To protect your plumbing, either throw your coffee grounds in the garbage, or if you have a garden, spread them around it to repel ants, slugs, and other pests that could harm your plants.

Grease

While the fats left behind from a hearty meal might be liquid when they go down your drain, they will soon solidify and create blockages. Instead of doing this, you will be much better off waiting for the grease to harden, scraping it into an old coffee can or similar container, and then putting the can into your garbage can when it gets full.

Paper Products

Other than toilet paper, these products are not made to break apart after being flushed or entering your garbage disposal. Items like paper towels, feminine hygiene products, and cotton balls should always be put into the trash; they will start to expand inside your pipes and cause a clog.

If you are worried about what else should be kept out of your drains, contact the plumbers at King’s Plumbing in West Chester, OH, for help. When it is too late for prevention, you can also call them at (513) 683-9935 for emergency drain cleaning. For more information about their other services, including pipe repairs, feel free to visit their website.