Is it harmful to put food down my drains?

A clogged sink is a problem we face more than once in our lives. Sometimes it can get so bad that it turns your entire kitchen into a mess. We all put a lot of emphasis on cleaning the sink and taking care of it in the long run. That’s why we also need to make sure that no food residue gets into the drains to avoid future plumbing issues and additional problems. If your drain is currently blocked, Royal Flush Plumbers can help you!

Common Food Items You Must Avoid Putting in a Drain

I am sure you think that most of the food waste you use every day goes down the drain normally and does not cause any significant problems, but you’d be surprised if you knew the list. So here are some of the food waste you should avoid to keep your sink from clogging.

Grease

We usually let the grease flow down the drains, but it sticks to the insides of the pipes and after some time, it can clog the entire pipe. Other oily products that can cause the problem include cooking oil, butter and others. It is always better to dispose of the grease in a trash can instead.

Coffee Grounds

According to plumbers, coffee grounds are one of the most common reasons for a clogged pipe. You should always dispose of coffee grounds in the trash can, or you can also use them to compound.

Rice and Pasta

These are the typical foods that go down the drain when you wash dishes and plates. You may have noticed that rice and pasta expand when cooked. The same thing happens when they are passed down the drain, and they can quickly swell your pipe and cause a clog.

Potato Peels

Potato peels tend to mix with water to form a thick mush that can clog your drain. Flour and wheat also have a similar effect when mixed with water. So throw them in the trash can instead of running them down your drains.

Eggshells

The garbage disposal will break eggshells into small pieces, but they will stick to the side of the pipes and definitely contribute to clogs.

Medication

It is a common practice to flush unused and expired medications down the toilet and sink. Not only does this cause problems for your drain, but it is also extremely harmful to the environment as the chemicals dissolve in the water supply.

Other foods include flour, fibrous foods, meat scraps, and food seeds and pits. Always avoid throwing these foods down the drain, and if you have serious drain problems, contact a professional for long-term maintenance.