Avoid Clogs: Never Put These Items Down Your Drain!

Clogged drains are an annoying problem to deal with, especially if you have a septic system. However, if you’re careful of what you wash down your sink, tub or toilet, you can avoid clogs in the future.

The following are items that you should never put down your drain to avoid clogs:

• Hygiene products: Even if they say that they are “flushable”. Things like baby wipes, feminine care products, and similar items don’t disintegrate as fast as toilet paper does. Because these items don’t disintegrate quickly, they will fill up a septic tank faster, and can create blockages. Always throw these items in the trash instead.
• Chemicals and medicines: Harmful chemicals and medicines can potentially leach into groundwater, affecting plants and wildlife. In addition they can cause harm to septic systems, as septic systems rely on a delicate balance of bacteria to break down waste. Medicines and chemicals can harm or kill these good bacteria, leading to waste building up and clogging your drains instead of breaking down.
• Grease and other food waste: Oils and fats are not easily broken down. They can stick to pipes and become solid at certain temperatures. Dish soaps break down grease only temporarily, so washing a greasy pan in your kitchen sink can lead to unforeseen problems. It is never a good idea to wash grease or other food waste, like vegetable peels, down the drain.

If you have a clogged drain or septic system, or want more information on how to keep your septic system healthy all year round and avoid clogs, contact us.