Old habits die hard, especially when it comes to putting certain things down the drain that shouldn’t be in there in the first place. Most homeowners find this out too late when their plumbing system fails. While this year has already been challenging enough, Hicks Plumbing wants to make it easier for you. We offer full plumbing services in the Northern Virginia area that are customized to your specific needs. Whether you require assistance with your toilet, faucet, or fixtures, our team is available to serve you.
Let’s take a look at the top 9 things you shouldn’t be putting down your drains.
1. Kitty Litter
Flushable kitty litter is made up of biodegradable materials, such as corn, wheat, wood products, or shredded paper. While there are flushable kitty litter options available, it still has the potential to clog up our plumbing systems.
Most plumbing systems were not designed to flush particular solids, such as kitty litter, so avoiding this will help keep your plumbing functioning as it normally does.
2. Coffee Grounds
At first glance, coffee grounds seem small enough to flush down the drain and not cause a problem. However, for plumbers, it actually tends to be the most common reason for clogged drains.
3. Eggshells
The majority of homeowners might assume tossing eggshells down the drain is harmless, but grease and oil buildup might cause the eggshells to get stuck. This constant buildup will gradually clog your pipes, so it would be wise to toss your eggshells in the trash can or compost instead!
4. Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG)
Fats, oils, and grease comes from cooking oils, meat fats, gravy, mayonnaise, butter, and more. These substances are known for wreaking havoc on our plumbing, causing corrosion and dissolving concrete or iron sewer pipes, which can lead to costly repairs.
Luckily, there are simple ways to prevent expensive damages such as recycling cooking oils or wiping off oils on dishes before cleaning. For more information on how to dispose of FOG, please visit Fairfax County’s website for further FOG disposal guidance.
5. Paper Towels
Many people think that if something is biodegradable, such as paper towels and cotton balls, then it can dissolve immediately. However, this is untrue. Once these are put down a drain, they expand because they’re meant to absorb liquid. It takes time for materials such as these to degrade. Use cloth towels as an alternative or throw your paper towels in the trash can instead.
6. Cleaning Liquids
When home cleaning liquids, and even car fluids, are mixed into our water supply, it can be harmful to our environment. A great substitute for chemical cleaning liquids are all-natural cleaners. Some people have even opted for making their own natural cleaning liquids.
7. Medication
Similar to dumping cleaning chemicals down the drain, throwing medication down the drain can end up in our water supply as well. Chronic exposure to pharmaceuticals in our water supply can cause serious health problems down the line, so throw your medications in the garbage instead.
8. Feminine Hygiene Products
Feminine products, such as tampons, don’t easily dissolve in water. They have the potential to get stuck in our plumbing system and cause blockages, which can lead to sewage backflow and costly repairs.
9. Paint
Even though paint is a liquid, washing it down the drain has become a major problem. Latex and oil or lead-based paints must be disposed of properly to a hazardous waste site in Fairfax County. Fairfax County also offers a free disposal or household hazardous waste for residents to ensure these do not pollute our environment.
Maintain Your Home Comfort With Our Northern Virginia Plumbing Services!
Maintaining your plumbing can be made easy with the support of expert plumbing services. With the plumbing support of Hicks Plumbing, you won’t have to stress over potential issues that may arise in the winter season. If you are experiencing any additional plumbing problems, feel free to contact our team for assistance. We will be happy to help ease your worries and keep your plumbing functioning as it should be.
We’re available 24/7! Contact us at (703) 803-7466 or fill out our form to set up an appointment today!