Many people assume that anything can go down their kitchen or bathroom drain. Even if there is a garbage disposal installed in the drain, there are still many things that should not be flushed down a drain.

Never flush:

  • Grease and oils. They will cling to the sides of the pipes and cause a blockage.
  • Meat. The strands can wrap around garbage disposal blades.
  • Starchy foods such as rice and pasta. They absorb water and turn into a globby mess.
  • Stringy vegetables and fruits such as celery. They can wrap around a garbage disposal’s blades and the tough skins may not get fully chopped.
  • Diapers, wipes, and feminine hygiene items.
  • Bones from meat, fish, or poultry. They can break a garbage disposal.
  • Household items like string, glass, paper, or rubber bands.
  • Dead fish. They can get caught in the motor of a disposal or block a pipe.
  • Gum. It can cause a blocked drain.
  • Hazardous or corrosive chemicals. They can damage pipes.

The (Very) Short List of Drain-Approved Items

There is only a short list of items that are okay to send down a drain:

  • Coffee grounds
  • One or two eggshells at a time
  • Small amounts of non-fibrous vegetables and fruits

The Importance of Routine Cleaning

Regular drain cleaning helps keep garbage disposals and plumbing systems free of blockages and obstructions. Routine drain maintenance can also prevent costly emergencies such as drain backups and broken pipes. Homeowners can use natural drain cleaning methods such as vinegar or lemon juice with baking soda; a plunger; or an auger to dispel a small clog and as a preventive measure to keep pipes clear.

Prevent Drain Emergencies

Our plumbers offer routine drain and pipe cleaning services to help keep your drains flowing without problems. Should a blockage occur, we also offer emergency pipe repair. Call our team at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing today for prompt and courteous plumbing service.