Providing a safe and sanitary exit for water and other types of waste, drains are one of the most important facets of your home’s plumbing system. However, while these fixtures may be good at removing some substances, there are others that can easily get stuck along the way. Here are a few items plumbers recommend keeping out of your drains to avoid causing damage to your system.

Never Put These 5 Materials Down the Drain

1. Hair

While each individual hair strand may be small, they can easily stick to the sides of pipes, get tangled around grates, and grow into larger hair blockages. Since you can’t completely stop hair from coming off your head, it’s better to use a drain protector that will catch hair and make it easier to remove before clogs occur.

2. Grease, Oils & Fats

Cooking oil, grease, and fat may be liquid when you dispose of it, but these substances will harden as they cool. As such, these materials will stick to pipes and slowly restrict the flow of water. If a clog is big enough, it may even catch onto other debris that can make the blockage worse. Rather than dumping grease, oils, and fats down the sink, pour the waste into a safe container and dispose of it properly.

3. Coffee Grounds

As small as coffee grounds are, it may seem that they can easily rinse away down the drain. In reality, these grounds will clump together and collect along the lining of the pipe—especially if grease is already present. To prevent clogs, plumbers recommend throwing your coffee grounds directly into the trash or contributing them to your compost pile.

4. Non-Flushable Paper

Toilet paper is unique in that it’s designed to deteriorate in water. Other paper products, however — including sanitary napkins, paper towels, and wet wipes — won’t break down. If too much paper collects in a pipe, it can cause a serious clog that requires help from a plumber.  

5. Toxic Chemicals

Different types of chemicals may react negatively when combined, releasing toxic fumes into your home. Even if the chemicals make it down the drain, they can eventually contaminate the environment, causing harm to plant and animal life. You should also avoid using chemical drain cleaning products, as these products can wear away at pipes and cause them to leak.

Keeping these items out of your drains will help protect your plumbing system for many years. However, clogs can still happen over time. That’s why Benjamin Franklin Plumbing offers fast and effective drain cleaning services that will restore proper drainage without causing damage to pipes. If the clog can’t wait, this emergency plumber of Chardon, OH, offers responsive care 24 hours a day, seven days a week. To learn more about these plumbing services, visit this trusted provider online. For immediate assistance, call (440) 286-6002 to speak with a friendly specialist. You can also find the plumbers on Facebook.