What Can and Can't Go Down the Drain: A Guide for Alaskan Homeowners
As a trusted plumbing company in Alaska, All-Star Plumbing wants to help homeowners avoid common plumbing problems by educating them on what should and should not go down the drain in their house. Knowing what can safely be flushed or poured down the drain can save you time and money on costly plumbing repairs.
First and foremost, it's important to note that only some things can be flushed or poured down the drain. In general, anything that is not biodegradable or can't break down easily should never be flushed down the toilet or poured down the drain. Items like wipes, feminine hygiene products, and cotton balls should always be disposed of in the trash.
When it comes to the kitchen sink, if you have a garbage disposal, some items can be safely disposed of down the drain. However, it's important to remember that even with a garbage disposal, some things should not go down the drain. Here are some do's and don'ts to keep in mind:
Do's:
Food scraps that are small and soft can be safely disposed of down the drain with the garbage disposal. This includes items like vegetable and fruit peels, soft bread, and pasta.
Ice cubes can help to sharpen the blades of your garbage disposal and keep it running smoothly.
Liquid fats, oils, and grease can be poured down the drain, but only if they are in small quantities and mixed with hot water and dish soap to help break them down.
Don'ts:
Hard food items like bones, seeds, and popcorn kernels can damage the blades of your garbage disposal and should never be put down the drain.
Fibrous foods like celery, corn husks, and onion skins can get tangled in the blades of your garbage disposal and cause clogs.
Non-food items like bottle caps, cigarette butts, and plastic utensils should never be put down the drain, even with a garbage disposal.
It's important to remember that just because an item can fit down the drain doesn't mean it should be put down there. Even small things like coffee grounds or eggshells can build up in your pipes and cause clogs over time.
When it comes to the bathroom, some items should never be flushed down the toilet or poured down the drain. Here are some do's and don'ts to keep in mind:
Do's:
Toilet paper is the only paper product that should be flushed down the toilet. Anything else, like paper towels or facial tissues, should be disposed of in the trash.
Liquid soap and shampoo can be safely poured down the drain in the bathtub or sink.
Don'ts:
Feminine hygiene products, wipes, and cotton balls should never be flushed down the toilet. These items can cause serious clogs in your pipes and damage your plumbing system.
Medications should never be flushed down the toilet. They can contaminate the water supply and harm the environment.
Hair should be removed from the bathtub drain after each use to prevent clogs. Using a drain guard to catch any stray hair is also a good idea.
In addition to knowing what can and can't go down the drain, some other tips can help keep your plumbing system running smoothly:
Use a plunger to clear minor clogs before they become more significant problems.
Install a drain guard in your sink and bathtub to catch food scraps and hair before they can cause clogs.
Schedule regular plumbing maintenance to catch potential problems before they become costly repairs.
Following these tips and reminders can help keep your plumbing system running smoothly and avoid costly repairs. All-Star Plumbing is here to help if you ever need assistance with your plumbing system. Don't hesitate to give us a call should you ever need help!
