Drains are an essential part of any plumbing system, designed to carry wastewater away from your home. However, not everything should go down the drain. Pouring the wrong substances into your drains can lead to clogs, damage to your plumbing system, environmental harm, and costly repairs. To maintain a healthy plumbing system and protect the environment, it’s crucial to be mindful of what you dispose of through your drains. Here is a comprehensive list of things you should never put down your drains.
Grease, Fats, and Oils
Grease, fats, and oils might seem harmless in liquid form, but they can cause significant problems once they cool and solidify. When you pour these substances down the drain, they can coat the inside of your pipes, leading to blockages and sewer backups. Even if you use hot water to flush them down, they will eventually cool and congeal further down the line.
Alternatives:
Allow grease and fats to cool and solidify, then dispose of them in the trash.
Use a container to collect cooking oils and dispose of them at a local recycling center if available.
Coffee Grounds
Coffee grounds do not break down easily in water. Instead, they clump together, which can contribute to blockages in your plumbing system. Even if you have a garbage disposal, coffee grounds can still cause issues as they accumulate over time.
Alternatives:
Dispose of coffee grounds in the trash or compost them if you have a compost bin.
Eggshells
While it might seem that eggshells can be ground up by the garbage disposal, the truth is they can cause more harm than good. The membranes inside the eggshells can wrap around the blades of the disposal, while the ground-up shells can stick to the pipes and contribute to clogs.
Alternatives:
Add eggshells to your compost bin.
Flour
Flour might seem harmless, but when mixed with water, it creates a paste-like substance that can stick to the inside of your pipes. Over time, this can harden and lead to severe blockages.
Alternatives:
Dispose of excess flour in the trash.
Medication
Flushing medication down the drain or toilet can have serious environmental consequences. Pharmaceutical chemicals can contaminate water supplies and harm aquatic life. Water treatment facilities are not always equipped to remove these substances.
Alternatives:
Take unused or expired medications to a pharmacy take-back program or a local hazardous waste disposal event.
Produce Stickers
Produce stickers are often made of plastic and do not dissolve in water. These small stickers can adhere to pipes and screens at wastewater treatment plants, causing operational issues.
Alternatives:
Remove produce stickers before washing fruits and vegetables and dispose of them in the trash.
Paper Towels and Wipes
Paper towels, wet wipes, and even so-called “flushable” wipes should never be flushed down the toilet or put down the drain. These items do not break down like toilet paper and can cause severe blockages and damage to your plumbing and municipal sewer systems.
Alternatives:
Dispose of these items in the trash.
Cat Litter
Cat litter is designed to clump together and absorb moisture, which is precisely why it should not go down the drain. Flushing cat litter can lead to severe blockages in your pipes and septic system. Additionally, cat feces can contain Toxoplasma gondii, a parasite harmful to humans and marine life.
Alternatives:
Dispose of cat litter in the trash.
Hair
Hair is one of the most common causes of drain clogs. It can easily wrap around other debris, creating significant blockages in your pipes over time. This is especially problematic in bathroom sinks, showers, and bathtub drains.
Alternatives:
Use a drain cover to catch hair and dispose of it in the trash.
Paint
Paint, both latex and oil-based, should never be poured down the drain. Paint can adhere to the inside of your pipes and cause blockages. Additionally, the chemicals in paint can be harmful to the environment.
Alternatives:
Allow small amounts of latex paint to dry out completely and dispose of it in the trash.
Take larger quantities and oil-based paints to a local hazardous waste disposal facility.
Food Scraps
While some food waste might seem safe to put down the garbage disposal, not all food scraps should go down the drain. Fibrous vegetables like celery, corn husks, and potato peels can wrap around disposal blades or create a paste that clogs your pipes.
Alternatives:
Compost food scraps or dispose of them in the trash.
Cleaning Products
Certain cleaning products, particularly those containing bleach and ammonia, can damage your pipes and are harmful to the environment. Mixing different chemicals can also cause dangerous reactions, releasing toxic gases.
Alternatives:
Dispose of hazardous cleaning products at a local hazardous waste facility.
Use environmentally friendly cleaning products.
Cosmetic Products
Lotions, creams, and other cosmetic products can build up in your pipes, leading to blockages. These products often contain oils and other ingredients that do not break down easily in water.
Alternatives:
Dispose of cosmetic products in the trash.
Condoms
Condoms are not biodegradable and can cause significant blockages in your plumbing system. They can also contribute to problems at wastewater treatment facilities.
Alternatives:
Dispose of condoms in the trash.
Dental Floss
Dental floss is another item that should never be flushed or put down the drain. It does not dissolve in water and can wrap around other debris, creating clogs.
Alternatives:
Dispose of dental floss in the trash.
Cigarette Butts
Cigarette butts contain toxic chemicals and are not biodegradable. Flushing them can cause blockages and environmental contamination.
Alternatives:
Dispose of cigarette butts in the trash.
Bones
Bones, even small ones, should not go down the drain or garbage disposal. They can damage the blades of your disposal and create blockages in your pipes.
Alternatives:
Dispose of bones in the trash.
Produce Peels
Certain produce peels, like those from potatoes, carrots, and bananas, can create clogs when disposed of down the drain. They can stick to the inside of pipes and contribute to blockages.
Alternatives:
Compost produce peels or dispose of them in the trash.
Fibrous Vegetables
Vegetables like celery, asparagus, and artichokes have tough, fibrous textures that can wrap around garbage disposal blades and create clogs.
Alternatives:
Compost fibrous vegetables or dispose of them in the trash.
Starchy Foods
Foods high in starch, like pasta, rice, and potatoes, can expand and create a gummy texture when mixed with water. This can cause significant blockages in your pipes.
Alternatives:
Dispose of starchy foods in the trash or compost them if appropriate.
Seeds and Pits
Fruit seeds and pits, such as those from avocados, peaches, and cherries, are too hard for garbage disposals and can cause damage or blockages.
Alternatives:
Dispose of seeds and pits in the trash.
Tampons and Sanitary Napkins
These products are designed to absorb moisture and expand, making them highly unsuitable for disposal down the toilet or drain. They can cause severe blockages in your plumbing system.
Alternatives:
Dispose of tampons and sanitary napkins in the trash.
Diapers
Diapers are made to absorb large amounts of liquid and do not break down in water. Flushing them can lead to severe blockages and damage to your plumbing system.
Alternatives:
Dispose of diapers in the trash.
Razor Blades
Razor blades are sharp and can cause damage to your pipes and harm workers at wastewater treatment facilities. They also do not break down in water.
Alternatives:
Dispose of razor blades in a designated sharps container and take them to a proper disposal facility.
Plaster and Cement
Plaster and cement can harden in your pipes, causing severe blockages and potentially damaging your plumbing system.
Alternatives:
Dispose of plaster and cement waste according to local regulations, often at construction waste facilities.
Conclusion
Being mindful of what you put down your drains is essential for maintaining a healthy plumbing system and protecting the environment. By avoiding the disposal of these items through your drains, you can prevent clogs, reduce the need for costly plumbing repairs, and minimize your impact on the environment. Proper disposal methods, such as using the trash, composting, or taking items to hazardous waste facilities, can make a significant difference. Remember, when in doubt, it’s better to err on the side of caution and dispose of questionable items responsibly.
