Your home’s plumbing moves solid and liquid waste into the sewer system. However, if you put the wrong items down drains, toilets, and the garbage disposal, you may create clogs that prevent your plumbing from doing its job. Here’s more information about how to avoid blockages, backups, and pipe damages by keeping certain materials out of your system.

4 Items You Should Never Put Down Drains

1. Corrosive Chemicals

Household chemicals, like bleach, drain cleaners, and stain removers, will deteriorate the inner lining of your pipes when poured down drains. This is because they contain corrosive chemicals. Prevent pipe leaks and damage by recycling these formulas, or contact your local waste management center about proper disposal.

2. Grease & Cooking Oil

When you finish cooking, you may feel tempted to discard the oil by pouring it down the drain. However, the hot oil may burn your plumbing, and it’ll cause slow drains and backups when it cools and solidifies. Instead, allow it to cool completely and put it in a disposable container before throwing it in the trash. H-Power use it to produce electricity too!

3. Coffee Grounds

If you pour used coffee grounds down the kitchen sink, they’ll turn into sludge, clog the sewer plumbing, and prevent wastewater from draining. To prevent these issues, let them cool, then put them in the garbage. Alternatively, add them to your landscaping to improve the soil’s water retention and give your plants an extra dose of nitrogen.

4. Cat Litter

Even cat litter products that claim to be flushable can form clumps and clay masses that block your plumbing system and you will need to perform drain cleaning to clear the plumbing. Rather than putting them down the toilet, double-bag the used litter to prevent it from producing foul odors, and put it in your outdoor trash can.

If any of these items accidentally made it into your pipes, contact the team at Waialae Plumbing & Construction in Honolulu, HI. These professionals will thoroughly inspect your plumbing system to identify and remedy, any issues. To get more information about their services, visit the website or call (808) 735-8595.