Your kitchen sink is one of the most used plumbing fixtures in your home, and its taps are turned on for everything from cooking to getting a drink of water to cleaning up. Because kitchen sinks get so much heavy use, their drains are particularly susceptible to clogs. Fortunately, you can help prevent clogs in your kitchen sink drain, protect your plumbing and be kind to the planet by being careful about what you pour down the drain.
Use this handy list to help you remember what doesn’t belong down the drain in your kitchen.
Coffee Grounds and Eggshells Most people avoid dumping solid garbage down the sink, but coffee grounds and eggshells are often dumped down the drain. Both have the potential to cause clogs. If you don’t want to toss them in the garbage, use coffee grounds and eggshells in the garden or add them to your compost heap.
Oil and Grease Each time you empty your deep fryer into the sink or dump the oil from your pans down the drain, you’re introducing fats into the plumbing that can harden over time and lead to sewage backups. Many people believe that running hot water prevents oils from sticking, but this is not the case. The only way to prevent oil and grease from blocking your drain is to not dispose of it in the plumbing. Instead, collect used oil in a glass jar or heat-resistant plastic bottle. Seal it when it’s full and throw it away. Also, be sure to wipe greasy pots and pans out with a fabric cloth or paper towel before rinsing them.
Medications People concerned about expired medicines falling into the wrong hands often dump unused drugs down the drain. Although their intentions are good, these people are unknowingly contaminating the water supply with medications. If you have medication that needs to be thrown away, consult your pharmacy for advice. Never dump liquid medicine, pills, capsules or tablets down the sink. This includes over-the-counter medications, vitamins and dietary supplements as well.
Protecting Your Drain Here are some great tips to help you protect the drain in your kitchen sink.
- Purchase a sink strainer to capture food and debris before it reaches the plumbing.
- Use less dish soap. Most people use three times more household detergents than they need to, according to Yarra Valley Water. This is particularly the case with concentrated formulas, which require only a small amount to get your dishes clean. By using the right amount of dish soap, you can limit how much soap residue travels down the drain, where it can cause a clog-producing buildup.
- As a good rule of thumb, remember that the only thing that belongs in the drain is what comes out of your taps. Try to prevent anything else from entering the drain and use your in-sink garbage disposal sparingly.
Treat clogs quickly by contacting us here at Sydney Emergency Plumbing! We offer 24/7 service for drain clog emergencies.
