When it comes to our toilets, we are all guilty of tossing in things you should never flush down the drain. Most of the time, it’s an oversight or a habit that’s been going on for years. Because after all, who really thinks about where the waste goes after the toilet is flushed? It’s not until your toilet overflows from a huge clog and your plumber hands you a bill that you realize how damaging it can be.
To help you stay clog-free and save hundreds of dollars in plumbing expenses, here are things you should never flush down the drain.
1. Cooking Oil & Grease
Cooking oil and grease can cause major complications when you flush it down the drain. As it cools, it adheres to the inside of your pipes causing a blockage over time. There are a few alternatives that you can consider when it’s time to dispose of your cooking oil and grease such as:
- Drain the oil and store it for re-use.
- Let the oil cool down, place it in a disposable, non-recyclable container and throw it in the trash.
- Let the grease cool down and harden, place it in a sealable bag and dispose of it in the trash.
Similar products to cooking and grease that you should avoid putting down the drain include salad dressings, butter, mayonnaise, and fat.
2. Paper Products
Both paper towels and baby wipes are the most common causes of blockages that many people are not aware of. Unlike toilet paper, these products do not dissolve easily which causes them to clump up and clog your toilet. Other similar products include cotton balls, cotton swabs, tissues, sanitary towels, and flushable wipes.
3. Hair
Have you ever had to pick out a clump of hair in your shower drain because the bathtub was starting to fill up? Now imagine a clump of hair like that trying to pass through your drain pipe. When you flush hair down the drain, it can accumulate and create a net that will catch and hold onto debris. Hair is not a dissolvable substance and it floats which can cause major plumbing issues.
4. Medication
When you flush medication down the drain, the chemicals get leaked back into the environment and may even circulate back into your drinking water. This may be harmful to not only you but for your neighbors and community as well. Local pharmacies offer access to medical waste disposal units so you can safely discard your unused or expired medication.
5. Chemical Drain Cleaners
We recommend being cautious about using chemical drain cleaners as the go-to solution for frequent blockages. Too many chemicals can cause drain and sewer lines to corrode and fall apart especially for older fixtures and pipes. These chemical products can be hazardous and dangerous to your health if they are inhaled or make contact with your skin. Similar to medication, you want to keep these chemicals out of your water systems.
Call A Trusted Las Vegas Plumber
If you experience frequent blockages within your home or have other plumbing needs, consult with a reputable plumbing company like Rebel Refrigeration. The experts here at Rebel Refrigeration can run a camera to check for bellies in the pipes, broken pipes, root invasions, and more. Give us a call at (702) 766-9436 or email us to schedule an appointment today!