Clogged drain got you down? You’re not alone.

Clogs are one of the most common plumbing problems you can experience. You want to do the dishes, but the sink is already overflowing. You want to go to the bathroom, but the toilet won’t flush. You want to have a shower, but you don’t want to stand around in 4 inches of gross clog-water.

We get it—clogs are annoying. And while they’re not completely preventable, there are a few things you should never, ever put down a drain.

Remember: If it can fit down a drain, it can clog a drain. Here are some of the worst offenders:

Coffee Grounds

Back in the day, people thought coffee grounds were good for their pipes. “It keeps them clear,” they would say, as they dumped their morning grounds down their delicate plumbing system. “And smelling fresh!”

Not true. So not true. Coffee grounds are as good as cement in pipes.  When you dump a mass of soggy grounds down the drain, they’ll turn into an impenetrable nightmare.

What to do instead: Compost them, or spread them in your garden. Coffee grounds make excellent fertilizer!

Hair

Long, luxurious locks are the main culprits here, but even short hair can contribute to a clogged drain.

If left to its own devices, loose hair can quickly turn into a massive glob that’s tangled with soap scum, water deposits and whatever else happened to find its way into your drain. Not pretty.

What to do instead: Fit all of your tubs and shower drains with strainers to catch the hair (and other particles). Just make sure you clean the strainer regularly!

Grease

When you pour hot grease down your drain, it transforms into a lovely hard substance that sticks to the inside your pipes. Then food sticks to the grease, and grease sticks to the food, and grease sticks to the grease...and eventually you have yourself a big greasy nightmare. You’ll never want to eat bacon again.

So, never pour grease down your drain (or any fats and oils, for that matter). If you’re in a post-bacon haze and do it by accident, it’s a good idea to pour boiling water down the drain on a regular basis. This should help liquefy the grease and help it move along the pipes.

What to do instead: Pour the grease into a can, jar or other container, and put in the fridge or freezer. When the container is full, toss it in the trash. If you’re in Victoria BC and find yourself with a lot of used cooking oil (deep fryer oil, for example), you can take it to the Hartland Landfill for recycling. They’ll accept up to 10 L for a fee of $6.

Paper

Toilet paper is designed to break down when wet. Other kinds of paper, like paper towels, tissues and feminine hygiene products are not! Sure, they’ll flush, but instead of disintegrating they’ll leave you with a clogged drain.

What to do instead: Recycle, if possible, or toss ‘er in the trash.

Even if you’re not in the habit of flushing these things down the drain, your pipes can still clog up from time to time. If you have a clog, resist the urge to pour Drano (or any caustic liquid drain openers) down the drain. If the clog is complete, the caustic ingredients will become trapped in your pipes and cause major damage to them.

The best way to clear up those pesky clogs is to have your pipes snaked. Give us a call or get in touch with us online and we’ll have them up and running in no time!

The post 4 Everyday Things That Are Clogging Your Drain appeared first on Wade Roberts Plumbing Victoria BC.