7 Things You Should Never Put Down Your Drain

• Fats, Oils, And Grease (FOG)

Fats, oils, and grease are the biggest offenders for blocking drains. When FOG cools, it solidifies, creating nasty blockages that are a plumber's nightmare. Do not let FOG in liquid form fool you. As it cools, it congeals and hardens, causing blockages. It's tempting to just pour leftover oil down the drain. But resist the urge. Instead, scrape FOG into a container and toss it in the trash once it's cool.

• Pasta And Rice

These starchy culprits expand in water, forming a gluey mess that can clog your pipes like nobody's business. You should throw leftover pasta and rice in the compost bin or trash can instead.

• Coffee Grounds

Coffee grounds are one of the biggest culprits for clogging drains. While they may smell good, coffee grounds are abrasive and can build up in your pipes over time. The best way to dispose of coffee grounds is to compost them or toss them in the trash.

• Egg Shells

Contrary to popular belief, eggshells don't magically disappear down the drain. They break into tiny pieces that stick to other waste flowing through the drain line, causing clogs and unpleasant odors. Even if you have a garbage disposal, it’s never advisable to put eggshells down the drain. Instead, compost them or sprinkle them in your garden as a natural fertilizer.

• Flour

As fine as it is, flour can clump together and clog your pipes, especially if it gets mixed with other things like FOG. Always dispose of flour in the trash.

• Produce Stickers

Most of the fruits and vegetables you buy from the grocery store have stickers on them. Those tiny stickers can easily slip down the kitchen sink drain when you’re washing your produce. While they may seem harmless, the adhesive can cause them to stick to your pipes and create blockages. Peel them off before rinsing your produce and throw them in the trash.

• Cleaning Products

While harsh chemicals like bleach and drain cleaners do not necessarily cause clogs in your drains, they can damage your pipes and contaminate water sources. It’s advisable to steer clear of harsh cleaning products and opt for natural cleaning solutions whenever possible. If you have a clog that cannot be plunged or removed using a drain snake, call a professional plumbing service to help you with clogged drain line repair.

What To Do If Your Drain Gets Clogged

Even with robust preventive measures, you can still experience clogged drains. If you've tried DIY methods such as plunging and drain snaking and the clog persists, call a nearby plumbing service for help. Here at Mr. Rooter Plumbing, we take pride in providing fast and professional clogged drain line repair. We are equipped with state-of-the-art drain cleaning tools to clear even the toughest drain clogs. Our plumbers have the skills and experience to resolve all kinds of drain line issues.