Many households will suffer from blocked drains at some point. With professional help, this is a problem that can be solved. But, what a lot of people do not realise is that the blockage could have actually been avoided. Namely, there are a lot of everyday items that seem harmless and are put down the drain. However, they end up causing a serious blockage.
So, let’s take a look at some common items that are put down the drain but can actually cause a lot of damage.
Coffee Grounds
Almost everyone has a coffee to start their day. When they are finished making their cup of coffee, they simply wash the grounds away down the drain. But, this is a really bad move and not a lot of people know about it. The reason is, coffee grounds are not completely water soluble. This means that they can stay in drains and build up over time. Eventually, this can lead to a blockage. So, despite coffee grounds being small, they can great a lot of damage if they are disposed of incorrectly.
Leftover Rice
When you are washing plates in the sink after dinner, you may dry to wash away any leftover rice. But, this is a bad idea. Rice is a food that absorbs water and when it is put down the drain, it can do this and cause a blockage. A lot of rice is able to do this on its own, as well as combining with other foods. It is best to have a sink strainer to avoid this from happening. If you realise too late that there is a problem with your drainage, you can always call an unblocking service to help you. The professionals will come to your home and unblock the drain for you. Just ensure that you remember not to put rice down the drain again.
Wet Wipes
Unfortunately, a lot of people are guilty of putting wet wipes down the toilet. This is something people do for convenience and they do not think they are any different from toilet paper. However, this is not true and wet wipes are becoming a big problem. They are known to cause blockages, as well as create fatbergs. In particular, you can now purchase flushable wipes. But, this is often a gimmick and it can still cause a blockage. It is advised that you keep a bin in your bathroom and use this for disposing of wet wipes.
Egg Shells
Another substance that people do not consider serious enough to block a drain is egg shells. Again, they seem like small pieces that do not look like they cause harm inside a drain. But, the fragments can combine with other substances to create a blockage. In particular, if you use a waste disposal, the shell and membrane can cause problems. The best thing you can do is put all egg shells in the bin or even use them for composting in the garden.
Produce Stickers
A lot of fruit and vegetables come with product stickers on them. For a lot of people, they seem small and harmless. They are not being careful with how they dispose of them. In other words, they can be washed away down the drainage and people do not give them a second thought. However, product stickers can actually be quite troublesome. They are made from plastic, which means that they do not biodegrade, making them bad for the environment. Since they are sticky, they can also get stuck to other waste materials and create a blockage over time.
Flour
Do you bake a lot and use flour? Then you are going to know what happens when you combine flour and water. Together, these two ingredients create a paste that can be sticky when it is put down the drain. Unfortunately, it can become troublesome as it can stick to pipes and stay there. This is something that you do not want as flour is not something you can simply wash away. Therefore, when you are baking, try to dispose of as much flour as you can before washing dishes. This can avoid future problems.
Meat Fats
We are all guilty of pouring away fats from cooking down the drain. After all, it can seem harmless because it is simply a liquid. But, you have to remember that fats eventually solidify. This makes it dangerous for pipes since it can stick to the insides and cause a blockage. This is a common reason why people have to use an unblocking service.
