15 Things That Should Never Go Down the Kitchen Drain

Kitchen sinks may seem like an ideal place to dispose of all liquid and some solid waste while you’re cleaning the kitchen and cooking meals. However, while many things can go down the drains, some substances and items cannot without causing significant damage to the drain system. 

Weatherford, TX area homeowners should be careful about what they flush or dispose of in this manner in their homes. Putting any of these 15 things down the drain could lead to serious clogs, costly plumbing repairs, and environmental damage. 

1. Cooking Oil or Grease

Cooking oil and grease, including sauces and soups that have any grease in them, may seem harmless when they’re hot because they’re in liquid form. As they cool, they will solidify, even if you flush the drain with hot water. These large blockages are known informally as “fatbergs” if they mix with other debris and solids. This can cause extensive damage to the plumbing system and sewer system or septic tank. 

2. Coffee Grounds

Coffee grounds clump together, so trying to rinse them down the drain may not work as intended. Instead of flowing freely through the system, they’ll form a thick and gritty mass that can clog the pipes and get stuck on other items flowing down with water. Additionally, coffee grounds can jam the blades of a garbage disposal or reduce its efficiency over time. 

3. Starchy Foods

Rice, pasta, oatmeal, grits, cereal, potatoes, and other starchy foods can become gummy and lead to clogged pipes. The chance of a blockage increases if these foods clump together as they move down the drain. Some of these will expand when they remain in water, even if they’ve  already been cooked. 

4. Bones

Bones are too dense and tough to break down in the pipes. Even if you use a garbage disposal, there’s still a chance that the sharp edges of the bones will damage the pipes. Additionally, they can become lodged there and cause a clog. 

5. Meat Scraps and Gristle

Meat scraps and gristle can cause blockages, which are serious enough. And when these items get stuck in the drain, they can develop a stench that’s difficult to get rid of. Even if these items are chopped up by a garbage disposal, the smell can still remain long-term. Meat scraps that contain fat are also problematic because the fat may harden, which makes it more likely that the scraps will become stuck in the pipes, requiring professional drain cleaning service.

6. Fruit Peels and Pits

Fruit peels may become stuck on other objects or substances that are in the drain system. Pits, especially large ones, may block the drain in areas where the pipe gets smaller because of the drainage design.

7. Produce Stickers

Stickers on produce don’t dissolve in water, but the glue on them is manufactured to adhere to the damp surface of the fruit. These stickers can become stuck on the inside of the pipes. If only one is sticking, it may not cause any problems unless other items stick to it. Multiple stickers have a bigger risk of becoming an obstruction.

8. Eggshells

Eggshells might seem harmless to put down the drain, but the fragments can cause problems if they mix with grease, soap scum, or other substances. Sharp fragments can become stuck on other items and increase the chance of a clog. The thin membrane that’s on the inside of the egg can become sticky and lead to the clumping of other food particles and items in the drain system.

9. Adhesives, Gum, and Flour

Adhesives and gum may stick to the pipes or to other items that are going through the pipes. Flour becomes glue-like when it contacts water. Over time, these substances can build up and cause significant blockages. They can also bind other substances and items together to create larger masses that clog the pipes.

10. Paint

Paint contains dangerous chemicals that are harmful to the environment and difficult to treat at a wastewater treatment facility. It doesn’t matter if the paint is oil-based or latex-based — it should be disposed of in accordance with applicable regulations. Another issue is that some paints contain chemicals that can corrode and weaken pipes. 

11. Cleaning Products

Harsh cleaning products can lead to erosion in the pipes, particularly if they aren’t diluted. Erosion can lead to premature failure of the pipes, which means a costly repair project. Many cleaners are difficult to treat at a wastewater treatment facility, so they may remain in the general water supply.

12. Cigarette Butts

Not only are cigarette butts filled with harmful chemicals that can leech into the water supply, but they can also accumulate in the plumbing system. The shape of cigarette butts makes them susceptible to getting stuck in the pipes, which can lead to other items being blocked behind them. Since they aren’t biodegradable, the blockage won’t release on its own.

13. Medications

Pouring medications down the drain can cause a significant hazard to aquatic life and may contaminate water. Many wastewater treatment plants can’t filter out these chemicals. Gel tablets and other substances may not dissolve, so they’ll coagulate in the drains. Once the gel covering gets gummy, it can attach to other substances or get stuck on the interior of the pipe.

14. Paper Products

Napkins, paper towels, and coffee filters should be disposed of in the trash, never put into the drain. Even if you have a garbage disposal, allowing these items to get into the drainpipes can cause serious clogs. The fibers in paper products don’t dissolve quickly, even in water, so they can clump up and cause clogs. 

15. Commercial Unclogging Liquids and Gels

Homeowners sometimes turn to readily available liquids and gels to unclog sluggish or stopped drains. These products aren’t effective on severe or solid blockages, so you will need a professional to address the underlying issue to keep clogs from continuing to occur. 

For some clogs, such as grease or fats, the product may release the clog at the initial site only to solidify it further down the pipe. Clogs that are deep in the pipes can be much more challenging to clear permanently. 

The harsh chemicals can corrode the pipes, which can degrade the plumbing. Long-term use of these products can lead to leaky pipes. It also makes them susceptible to piercing from sharp objects if any of those go down the kitchen sink.

Contact Our Team to Clear Plumbing Clogs

Our team at Lightfoot Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electrical is ready to help you address any plumbing problems in your home. Whether you need a new plumbing installation, fixture replacement, or emergency plumbing services, we can help. 

Besides offering a full line of plumbing services, we offer installation, repair, replacement, and maintenance of air conditioners, heaters, HVAC systems, and whole-house generators. We also have electricians on staff to help with electrical inspections, repair, and installation, as well as wiring, rewiring, panel or breaker upgrades, and electric feature installation. 

Call us today to schedule an appointment with one of our knowledgeable Weatherford, TX team members!