Residential plumbing systems are only designed to handle certain types of items. By placing unapproved products down the drains of your sinks, tubs, or toilets, you could be causing clogs or major damage. To avoid these issues, don’t flush or place these items into your plumbing system.

What Items Should Never Go Down Residential Plumbing Drains?

1. Grease

Grease, oil, and fat all do not dissolve in water, so when they go into your plumbing system, they can easily sit in one spot and create buildup in the pipes. Even if you have a garbage disposal in your kitchen sink, pouring grease or oil down the drain can coat the blades and make it less effective. Instead, collect these substances in a bowl or other vessel and then throw them in the trash.

2. Paper Towels

Some people think that paper products can get flushed or go down drains because toilet paper can. However, toilet paper is specifically designed to dissolve in residential plumbing systems, and other products like paper towels,wipes (even if they say flushable) and tissues are not. They’ll stay in their solid form and eventually create large clogs, so throw them in the trash instead.

3. Feminine Hygiene Products

Feminine hygiene products, even those that claim to be flushable, are also not designed to break down in plumbing systems. These are some of the most common causes of clogs in toilets and their pipes. Keep a trash can in the bathroom to easily dispose of these items safely.

4. Coffee Grounds

It’s common for people to dump food products like coffee grounds down the drain, thinking that they’re too small to cause clogs. However, these tiny pieces can easily get caught in other items and make clogs significantly worse. If you don’t want to throw food items out, you can use them for composting.

5. Medicine

Medication doesn’t necessarily create a risk for clogs, but it can contaminate the water supply. Certain chemicals are difficult to trace or remove from water, even when it goes through a full filtering process. Simply throw outdated medications in the trash instead.

 

If you need any help with your residential plumbing system, contact Baity Plumbing Co. in Thomasville, NC. The plumber serves customers throughout Davidson, Guilford, and Randolph Counties with various plumbing services, from pipe repair to sewer line cleaning. In business since 1976, the established plumbing contractor is well equipped to deliver friendly and quality service for both homeowners and businesses. You can view a full list of services online or call (336) 475-0921 to request service.