Nothing disrupts the usual flow of your day like a clogged drain or other plumbing issues. Clogs and backups can affect your ability to fulfill some of the most basic household tasks like washing the dishes, using the toilet, or taking a shower or bath. You can prevent this problem from interrupting your routine by getting a better understanding of what shouldn’t go down the drains in your home. 

What Causes Clogged Drains?

1. Insoluble Foods 

During and after you’re done cooking, it’s tempting to throw waste down the drain, but many foods can damage your plumbing and cause blockages because they don’t dissolve well in water. Eggshells, meat scraps, bones, coffee grounds, potato peels, pasta, rice, seeds, flour, grease, oil, and even expired milk can all expand or accumulate inside a drain and prevent water from passing through. Toss these items in the trash rather than your sink. 

2. Foreign Objects 

Your drains are meant to get rid of wastewater and certain soaps, not solid objects. The only exception is toilet paper. Sometimes, however, plastic wrappers, toothpaste caps, paper towels, produce stickers, cotton balls, and small toys make their way down sinks, showers, and toilets, and you don’t notice until they result in a clogged drain.

Many people also have the mistaken belief that cat litter, condoms, and feminine products can be safely flushed down the toilet, but they easily create obstructions as well. They can also block your water treatment system or end up floating in the treated water so that it can’t be cleaned properly. 

3. Toxic Chemicals

Car fluids, household cleaners, and paint all contain potentially dangerous chemicals. They may not damage or clog your pipes, but they’re toxic enough to make your water supply unsafe, even after treatment. Instead of pouring them down the drain, contact your city or county office for information about proper hazardous waste disposal.

If you have a clogged drain despite being careful to avoid one, contact the  expert plumbers at Economy Plumbing in High Point, NC. They’ve been serving client’s throughout the Southern Triad region since 1970. They can remove clogs in addition to performing related services, including leak repair and routine drain cleaning. No matter when you need them, they’re available 24/7 to ensure that your plumbing system is working smoothly. To make an appointment, call them at (336) 883-4491 or message them online.