The kitchen sink is the workhorse of your home, but it’s not a magical portal that can handle every substance you pour into it. At Aquila Property Care, a trusted home improvement and plumbing company in Birmingham, we’ve seen countless plumbing issues caused by well-intentioned but misguided habits. A clogged drain isn’t just an inconvenience; it can lead to expensive repairs and even pipe damage. To keep your plumbing healthy and your home running smoothly, here are five things you should never pour down the sink.
1. Grease, Oil, and Fat
This is the number one culprit behind kitchen clogs. When hot cooking oils, bacon grease, or fat from meat are poured down the drain, they may be liquid at first. However, as they travel through your pipes, they cool down and solidify, clinging to the pipe walls. Over time, this fatty buildup acts like a sponge, catching food scraps and other debris, which eventually leads to a complete blockage. To avoid this, scrape fats into a container, let them cool and solidify, and then throw them in the bin.
2. Coffee Grounds
Many people believe that coffee grounds are harmless and will simply wash down the drain. This is a myth. Coffee grounds are dense and don’t break down in water. Instead, they clump together in your pipes, forming a thick, sludgy mass that is incredibly effective at creating blockages. Even with a garbage disposal, it’s best to dispose of coffee grounds in your compost bin or regular waste.
3. Flour
When mixed with water, flour forms a sticky paste. This paste can easily coat the inside of your pipes, causing other debris to stick to it and form a tough, concrete-like clog. This is why it’s so important to be careful when washing baking bowls or utensils. Always scrape as much excess flour as you can into the bin before rinsing them in the sink. This is a simple but crucial tip to remember so you never pour down the sink this common cooking ingredient.
4. Harsh Chemicals
While a chemical drain cleaner might seem like a quick fix for a slow-draining sink, it’s a big mistake. The highly corrosive nature of these products can cause more harm than good. They can eat away at the glue holding your PVC pipes together or corrode older metal pipes, leading to leaks and potential bursts. For minor clogs, a simple plunger or a mixture of baking soda and vinegar is a safer, more effective alternative. For persistent issues, professional intervention is always the best solution.
5. “Flushable” Wipes and Paper Towels
Despite what the packaging might claim, “flushable” wipes and paper towels are a plumbing nightmare. Unlike toilet paper, which is designed to dissolve quickly in water, these items are made of durable fibres that do not break down. They can tangle and snag on rough pipe surfaces, creating massive blockages in your home’s drains and even in the municipal sewer system. This is an important rule to follow, not just for your sink, but for your toilet as well. You should never pour down the sink any paper products other than toilet paper.
By being mindful of these five things, you can significantly reduce the risk of common plumbing problems. Regular maintenance and careful habits are the key to a healthy plumbing system. But if you do run into a stubborn clog or another plumbing emergency, our team of experts in Birmingham is always ready to help. You can trust Aquila Property Care for all your home improvement and plumbing needs.
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[…] Avoid Pouring Harmful Substances: Never pour oil, paint, or other chemicals down your outdoor drains. These substances can harm the environment and cause serious clogs. For more information on what not to put down your drains, you can read our our blog post on what not to pour down the sink. […]