When it comes to home maintenance, the following items – which we call the big offenders – are known to be major causes of clogged drains, and should never be put down the drain or toilet:
Fat
Grease from fats and oils may be liquid when it enters a drain, but it soon cools down there and rapidly congeals into a sticky solid mass that adheres to pipe walls and attracts further waste.
Use a fat trap (a lined, disposable container) to pour waste oils and fats into or add it to your green recycling bin. Keep a caddy in the kitchen for food waste – it is healthier for your pipes and the planet!
Hair
Both human and pet hair are also major clog factors. The simplest way to prevent drains from becoming blocked by hair build-up is to install mesh screens over all your drains, particularly shower and bath drains.
A mesh screen in the kitchen sink will also trap food waste that would otherwise wash down the drain. They are easy to clean out – make it a habit to empty them regularly.
Food Waste
Coffee grounds seem like a harmless, free-flowing item to wash down the sink. However, you may be surprised to learn that they are a high-risk factor for drain blockages.
Dispose of them – along with other food waste, like rice and pasta – in the food waste bin, or repurpose them by adding them to your pot plants for added nutrients.
Fibrous Materials
Items such as wet wipes, dental floss, cotton balls, and feminine hygiene products should be disposed of in a bin, not flushed down the toilet. They easily snag on rough parts inside drains and build up into potential blockages.
Pharmaceuticals and Chemicals
Engine oil, paints, and solvents should be disposed of safely according to local regulations; never introduce them into the water supply, where they can harm our groundwater and be toxic to plants and wildlife. Return unused medicines to a chemist for safe disposal.
The following items should never be disposed of down any drain:
Home Maintenance Tips to Maintain Clean Drains
As well as teaching your family what is and isn't safe to dispose of down the drain, it is also a good idea to regularly use some simple cleaning procedures.
These six easy steps will help to dissolve and loosen any fats that have started to build up:
You can also buy yourself a drain snake (also known as a plumber's snake – a long, flexible, small auger that rotates as it is physically pushed through the clog) to hook out build-ups and dislodge early build-up.
