Plumbing can be messy, and it’s almost not worth imagining what plumbers encounter on an average day. All manner of things have been pulled out of pipes and drains, making you question how they got there in the first place.
As well as the strange items, plenty of everyday things clog your pipes, and they are entirely avoidable. But unfortunately, it seems that people are absently mindedly putting things down the drain that do not belong there. And they don’t realise the problems they can cause.
Clogged pipes are a common reason for calling a plumber out, and it wastes time and money.
Grease
Pouring grease down the drain is a big no-no. Fat congeals and forms into big blobs causing blockages in very little time. Instead, allow the grease to cool down after cooking and put it in the bin.
Coffee Grounds
People once believed that coffee grounds were suitable for your pipes. However, the opposite is true. Coffee grounds are almost like cement in pipes, hardening and blocking pipes. So rather than pouring them down the sink, compost them or spread them in your garden.
Hair
Hair of any length can cause problems in the pipes by wrapping around soap scum and debris. Try brushing your hair before showering to eliminate any loose hairs, and try to stop hair from going down the drain.
Wet Wipes
Unlike toilet paper, wet wipes do not fall apart quickly in water. Once a pipe is clogged with wipes, a plumber will have to come and sort it out. No items other than toilet paper should be flushed down the toilet.
Hygiene Products
Products of this kind should always be put into the bin and not down the toilet. They are a plumbing system’s worst enemy and will clog your pipes in a heartbeat.
Dental Floss
Dental floss is a common culprit for blockages in bathroom drains, neither biodegradable nor easily flushed down the toilet.
Egg Shells
An old wives tale claims eggshells are good for disposals as they sharpen the blades. This is not true. Eggshells can damage the disposal, and the consistency of eggshells can cause pipes to clog.
Toys
It may sound bizarre, but it has happened plenty of times. Plumbers are called out to homes with blocked pipes only to find toys have been flushed down the toilet or dropped down the drain. So keep an eye out and tell children that toys don’t belong in the plumbing.
