Everyday Items You Shouldn’t Put Down the Drain

Rather than take time to throw food scraps into the trash, it’s easy to let them wash down the drain. But over time, these things will catch up with you and create a real problem. As your trusted provider of plumbing drain cleaning services, Barron Plumbing and Heating has seen it all. Read on as we list the items that shouldn’t go down the drain, signs of a clogged drain you should look for, and how to deal with it.

Items That Should Not Go Down a Drain

The following are everyday household items that tend to get into drains, cause backups and necessitate the services of a reputable drain cleaning company:

• Coffee Grounds – These don’t dissolve in water, and they can easily mix up with other items that went down the drain, resulting in a blockage.
• Grease, Oils, or Fats – Accounting for nearly half of all drain backups, grease congeals inside the pipes and stays where it can collect other material and create a sticky mess.
• Rice or Pasta – These foods swell when wet and collect in grease and other obstructions, requiring professional drain cleaning in Atlantic City, NJ.
• Stickers From Produce – These small items made of paper or plastic found on fruit or vegetables can stick to pipe interiors or filters.
• Paper Towels – They absorb water and stop drains fast, and they take a long time to biodegrade.
• Feminine Products – Feminine products don’t break down in water and can either get stuck in the drain or cause problems later on in the municipal drainage system.
• Flushable Wipes – These products don’t break down as easily as toilet paper and eventually reside in the drain.

Signs of a Clogged Drain

While it may seem natural to let anything wash into the drain and disappear, it doesn’t necessarily do that. Drains are meant to handle liquids that don’t congeal and harm the pipes. They don’t handle solids and grease as they eventually form a clog and require drain cleaning services.

Drains that are slow-moving or standing still are clear signs that they are clogged. If you also notice gurgling sounds or unpleasant smells from the drain, there’s a good chance that a significant amount of material has built up and blocked your pipes.

What to Do With a Clogged Drain

Even if you’re careful, a clog will happen in unexpected times. In most cases, a plunger can dislodge the clog and restore water flow. If it doesn’t fix the issue, it’s best to seek professional help from a qualified drain cleaning plumber.

For all things plumbing and drain cleaning, look no further than the pros at Barron Plumbing and Heating. We are equipped with the right tools and experience to do the job right the first time. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.