Did you know that common kitchen items like grease, coffee grounds, and pasta can cause severe blockages when they go down the drain?
Certain foods can cause severe blockages and damage when disposed of down the drain. Experts recently highlighted how these foods contribute to plumbing problems and offered practical disposal tips to prevent costly repairs.
Plumbworld, the bathroom and kitchen expert, compiled a list of foods you should never put down your kitchen drain, along with tips for proper disposal. Understanding which foods to avoid and why can help you maintain a smoothly running kitchen and save money on repairs.
Grease, Oil, and Fat
- Why it’s harmful: When you pour grease, oil, or fat down the drain, they might seem like liquids, but as they cool, they solidify. This solidification occurs as these substances move through your pipes, where they stick to the sides, gradually forming thick, sticky blockages. Over time, this buildup can completely block your pipes, causing water backups and even sewage overflows.
- Common sources: Cooking oils (like olive, vegetable, or coconut oil), bacon grease, butter, and margarine are the main culprits.
- Proper disposal: After cooking, allow grease to cool and harden, then scrape it into a container or jar that you can throw in the bin. Alternatively, you can line a bowl with foil, pour the grease in, and throw the foil away when it hardens.
2. Coffee Grounds
- Why it’s harmful: Despite their small size, coffee grounds do not break down in water. They tend to clump together in your drain and pipes, forming a dense, sludgy mass that can trap other debris, eventually leading to significant clogs. Even if you have a waste disposal unit, coffee grounds don’t grind up well and can still cause plumbing problems.
- Proper disposal: Coffee grounds can be added to your compost bin, where they provide nitrogen-rich material. If composting isn’t an option, discard them in the regular rubbish, or use them in your garden as fertiliser.
3. Eggshells
- Why it’s harmful: Eggshells might seem harmless because they’re brittle and break down easily. However, when they go down the drain, the tiny sharp fragments can get trapped in grease and other debris. These fragments also tend to accumulate over time, contributing to clogs. Even with a waste disposal unit, eggshells can dull the blades and build up in the drain, increasing the likelihood of a blockage.
- Proper disposal: It’s best to toss eggshells in the compost bin, as they break down nicely and add valuable nutrients like calcium. If you don’t compost, simply throw them in the rubbish.
4. Pasta and Rice
- Why it’s harmful: Both pasta and rice expand significantly when exposed to water. Even if they’re already cooked, they continue to swell when they absorb water, particularly in the pipes where water can pool. This can lead to large clumps that easily clog your pipes. These starchy foods also tend to get sticky, making it easier for them to adhere to other debris and grease inside the drain.
- Proper disposal: After meals, scrape leftover pasta and rice into the rubbish or compost bin. For larger quantities, let them dry out first to prevent them from expanding further.
5. Fibrous Vegetables
- Why it’s harmful: Vegetables like celery, asparagus, artichokes, and potato peels have long, stringy fibres that can wrap around the blades of your waste disposal unit or clog the drain on their own. These fibres don’t break down easily in water and can quickly form a tangled mess that restricts water flow in your pipes. The more fibrous the vegetable, the greater the risk of a blockage.
- Proper disposal: To avoid these issues, toss fibrous vegetable scraps into your compost bin, where they’ll decompose naturally, or throw them into your regular rubbish.
Use drain strainers: Install a mesh strainer over your sink drain to catch food scraps and debris, preventing them from going down the drain in the first place. Regular maintenance: Flush your drain with hot water and a mix of baking soda and vinegar every few weeks to break down any residue that may have formed in the pipes.
