Things You Should Never Pour Down the Drain
Just when you think only large kitchen wastes can be harmful, you’ll be surprised to know that even those in minute sizes and quantities can do so much harm when accumulated over time, not just from the kitchen drain pipe level but up to the main septic tank. When this happens, wastewater may back up in the kitchen sink; and since household drain pipes are interconnected to the main sewage line, if your main sewage pipes have been clogged, your toilet and bathroom may also experience back flows which can be messier and more disgusting.
Having a garbage disposal system in your system may not be enough because there are certain waste items that should be properly disposed of. If you think kitchen FOG (fat, oils, and grease) are the only culprits in clogging your drains, you have to check out these other items that can cause big problems when taken for granted.
COFFEE GROUNDS
They may be good for the plants, but definitely not for the drain pipes. Coffee grounds are one of the worst offenders for causing drain blockages since they are not completely water-soluble; and when they mix with kitchen FOG, they increase the risk for clogs.
EGG SHELLS
One of the most common wastes in the kitchen, eggshells contribute greatly towards increasing granular wastes. Not only are they hard on disposable blades when they wrap around the grinding device, ground egg shells easily compound other blockages. Make good use of this kitchen waste (and coffee grounds for that matter) by transforming it into compost.
FATS, OILS, and GREASE (FOG)
The most common culprit and probably what most of us might think as the only cause for drain clogs, FOG includes not only fats, oils, and grease, but also dairy products like cheese, ice cream, milk and butter. Even vegan nut butter is not spared. Salad dressings, sauces, and mayonnaise, which include oil in their mixture, also belong to this group. FOG builds up fast and creates water-resistant barriers, so be more conscious when disposing them.
FLOUR AND OTHER POWDERED STARCH
Often used to thicken sauces or soups, and to make syrups when mixed with water, flour and other starch products instantly create a glue-like substance which can clog your pipes heavily. Notice how, when mixed with water, they clump up and settle in your bowl when left even for a short time. It also makes sense why these are called “binders” when preparing your favorite patties.
PASTA AND OTHER NOODLE PRODUCTS
Pasta and other noodle products like vermicelli and rice noodles continue to swell once flushed down your kitchen sink since they absorb water and continue to expand with more exposure to water every time you run the faucet. Try to buy organic alternatives which are free of coagulating subtances that can clog your drains.
RICE
Rice may seem easily dissolved in water but they continue to swell once allowed to run down kitchen drains.
PRODUCE STICKERS
Tiny stickers made of plastic and commonly found on fruit and vegetable packs will stick to the sides of the drains; and once they collect along the walls and filters of your sewage system. And remember, plastic and adhesive stickers are not water-soluble so its doubles the problem of clogging your pipes.
Avoid clogging your drains and septic tanks, at worst case, by properly disposing of your kitchen wastes; and further avoid the high costs and hassle of getting professional siphoning services. It maybe worth installing these items to reduce the possibility of drained clogs.
Grease Trap
Overtime, flushed oil in your kitchen drain can clog your drain pipes and can overwhelm your septic tank. A must in every kitchen, also called grease interceptor, this useful plumbing device is designed to intercept or trap most greases and solids before they enter a wastewater disposal system.
Sink Incinerator
Using sure knives or blades, food waste is simply and quickly ground into fine particles using sink incinerators and then flushed through the waste disposer and into your normal waste system.
Strainer Baskets
If you do not have a sink incinerator installed in your kitchen sink, strainer baskets are a big help in trapping kitchen wastes and prevents them from getting flushed and clogging your pipes.
Kitchen Water Heaters
A point-of-use water heater can be added to your home’s existing plumbing without the need to re-do the whole plumbing system. They help flush out kitchen FOG and prevents them from settling in your pipes, at least.
Prevention is better than treatment, so always make that conscious effort to dispose of your kitchen wastes properly to save yourself from problems in the future.