9 Items That Should Never Go Down the Drain

While there are times when a clogged drain occurs for reasons beyond the homeowner’s control, Alto Sewer Service receives far too many calls that could have been avoided.

How? By knowing what can and cannot be flushed down a drain.

Whether it’s the toilet, the kitchen sink, or the laundry room sink, remember that your home’s plumbing system is designed to handle liquids and very few flushable solids, such as toilet paper.

Despite this rule of thumb, we frequently observe certain solids being flushed down the drain. To help our customers avoid emergency plumbing calls in the future, we have compiled the following list of these items:

#1 Coffee Beans

They appear to be small enough to be flushed away like any other liquid, but they are actually one of the most common causes of slow-building clogs in kitchen sinks.

#2 Eggshells

Eggshells that have been ground up can cause the same type of issue. It is equally simple to throw them in the trash or use them as compost if you have a garden.

#3 Fats or Oils

Used oil or grease may appear liquid enough to pour down the drain while it is still warm, but as it cools, it becomes more solid in your pipes. This grease should be poured into an old jar or can, allowed to cool and harden, and then discarded.

#4 Veggie Stickers

Even a small amount of adhesive on the backs of these stickers can contribute to clogged drains. They belong in the trash, just like every other solid item on this list.

#5 Cotton Balls

Another significant issue is when people flush solid objects, such as cotton balls, down the toilet (and dental floss for that matter). Because they do not dissolve like toilet paper, they are more likely to cause clogs in your toilet.

#6 Paper Towels

Both paper towels and wipes are identical. They may resemble toilet paper, but they are made to be thicker and more durable, so they will not dissolve in water like toilet paper does.

#7 Condoms

Rubber is not biodegradable, so these should not be flushed down city toilets. It is important to keep this type of trash out of the water supply, so simply dispose of them.

#8 Feminine Hygiene Products

Flushing feminine hygiene products may feel like the quickest and most hygienic way to dispose of them, but like the other items listed above, they do not dissolve in water, making them a prime candidate for causing issues with drains despite the fact that they are labeled as “flushable.”

#9 Domestic Chemicals

People frequently flush down drains household cleaners, car fluids, and even paint, but we would advise against doing so. Toxic chemicals are never good for the water supply, so use only natural cleaners or find safer disposal methods for your household chemicals.

Contact An Emergency Plumber

Whether or not you’ve flushed these items down your drain, it’s possible that you’ll need a Burnsville drain cleaning plumber, and the experts at Alto Sewer Service are happy to assist.

Do your best to keep these items out of your drains, but if an emergency does occur, we’ll be here to restore your plumbing to normal functionality.