There’s nothing more frustrating than having to deal with a clogged toilet. Thankfully, there are a few ways to prevent clogging up your toilet pipes or drains. Read on for a list of the things you should probably avoid putting down the drain if you don’t want to clog it.
Keep in mind for a long-lasting and effective fix, reading up on solutions from your professional plumbing service in Los Angeles is the best way to go about dealing with clogs.
Food
There are a number of foods you’ll want to avoid placing down your toilet or drain to prevent clogged drains. Grease, fats, cooking oils, or coffee grounds should be avoided because they harden within your pipes and clog severely clog your drain. Meats, poultry, eggshells, and fish bones can form clumps or the natural fat in them can harden. Pasta, rice, bread, and grains absorb water and expand which will cause blockages in pipes and drains. Gum is another one to avoid for obvious reasons.
Odds + Ends
Various odds and ends you should avoid dropping down the toilet or pipes are numerous. Stickers, hair, towels, wipes, and other paper products should be avoided as they all absorb water and expand, leaving drains clogged horribly. Tampons, maxi pads, and other feminine products are a given to leave out of the drain, right? Cotton balls, swabs, dryer sheets, fabric softener, cigarette butts, and food peels are also a no-no.
Cat litter and even so-called “flushable” products are best avoided, no matter what their labels may suggest. Dental floss can tangle up in the same way as hair does and cause unimaginable clogs. Razor blades, syringes, needles, and other medical paraphernalia can seriously damage to pipes and sewage drains while also harming wildlife. It is important that these items are properly disposed of to avoid harming small animals and others. Because condoms, rubber gloves, and balloons are all rubber-based materials, they will fill with water, inflate, and cause obstructions within pipelines.
Other items best avoided include prescription medications and cosmetics as they can be potentially harmful to wildlife or leech into drinking water. Additionally, small toys and bottle caps can cause clogs in smaller pipes. All kinds of soaps can create buildup in pipes very quickly so it’s best to use eco-friendly and biodegradable products, whenever possible.
Chemicals
You would think that avoiding tossing chemicals down the drain was quite obvious, but here’s a list of them in case you are unsure which ones you should be avoiding:
- Paint
- Paint solvents
- Nail polish
- Polish remover
It’s important to check with your local hardware store for the proper way to dispose of them as it’s illegal to put them down drains in many places.
Chemical auto parts fluids such as antifreeze, transmission fluid, motor oil, diesel, etc. are not okay to put down your drains! Your local auto parts store or mechanic can help aid you in finding the appropriate channels for disposing of these items without harming water supply or clogging pipes. Bleach, antibacterial cleaners, and other chemical cleaners can kill off good bacteria that help your septic system to fully function and can even damage sewage systems. There is also mounting evidence that they damage the environment, wildlife, and more. If you are dealing with a clogged drain and are in need of professional plumbing service in Los Angeles, contact Nautilus Plumbing right away. They offer 24-hour service for your plumbing needs day or night.
About Nautilus Plumbing: With over 50 years of experience, Nautilus Plumbing supplies superior plumbing service in Los Angeles. Nautilus Plumbing offers high quality, honest and affordable services which include repair and replacements from experienced licensed plumbers for all your plumbing needs.