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What You Should Avoid Pouring Down The Drain

What You Should Avoid Pouring Down The Drain

It is easy to take what you wash down the sink for granted. Washing the wrong thing down the sink can lead to disasters. So as a Brisbane plumber, we would like to help you avoid these simple mistakes. 

For example, when you are cleaning the dishes, do you scrape everything into the bin before putting your plate in the sink/dishwasher? Or do you just let the running water remove the scraps for you? If the latter, these scraps will start to accumulate in your pipes and drains. Many people let the running water remove the scraps so you are not alone. These habits, however, may end up costing you money in the near future. 

To avoid these common mistakes, a Brisbane plumber has answered the commonly asked questions about what can and can’t be poured down the sink:

Can coffee grounds and tea leaves be poured down the sink?

Even if your coffee and tea leaves have been grounded, do not pour them down the sink. This can accumulate and stick to your pipe. As a Brisbane plumber, we frequently see kitchen pipes that are blocked by coffee grounds and tea leaves. Second, only to grease. 

One reason for this is people who brew coffee do so every day. This means a large amount of coffee and tea leaves will go down your sink. If this sounds like you then you should stop as you will need to get a Brisbane plumber more often.

To dispose of coffee or tea appropriately, try decomposing them. They are great for your backyard soil and can get rid of unwanted pests. If this is not possible, simply seal them before placing them into your rubbish bin. 

Can flour be poured down the drain?

Wet flour should never be poured down the drain. Even though flour can pass through you drain, it will harden and lead to blocked pipes. This is something commonly seen by a Brisbane plumber. Flour blocks your pipes when it is exposed to water inside your drain, as it creates a glue-like substance. This glue-like substance may block your drain on its own or attach to other solids passing through your drain. 

Similar to ground coffee and tea leaves, flour should be decomposed. This is done by placing the floor onto your garden bed or in dedicated bins. If this isn’t possible in your living situation, a Brisbane plumber recommends simply sealing it before placing it in the rubbish bin. 

Can dairy products be poured down the sink?

Dairy products should never be poured down the sink because they are not easily broken down. Although dairy products do not block the sink, it can harm marine life. This is not something a Brisbane plumber or anyone would like to see. Dairy products can harm marine life as they require a large amount of oxygen to break down. Although this does not affect our waterways in small portions, a large number of people draining milk can cause major damage.

Dairy products, especially milk and other liquids can be hard to dispose of in the rubbish bin. They can, however, be placed in your garden as nutrients by spreading it over the ground.

Can grease be poured down the sink?

Grease should never be poured down the sink. Grease is the worst offender of blocked pipes and drains seen by a Brisbane plumber. Especially in commercial settings. This applies to grease in both a solid and liquid state. Grease along with fat and oil act as agents that bind to the other solids inside your pipe. This will lead to a blocked pipe.

To dispose of grease or other fats and oils, freeze them in a jar before properly disposing of them in the bin. 

Can vinegar be poured down the sink?

Vinegar can be poured down the sink. The acidity of vinegar actually acts as a cleaning agent by softening or dissolving trapped substances. This applies to vinegar in smaller quantities. 

A Brisbane plumber would not recommend pouring Vinegar down your sink as a cleaning agent or with any regularity. If you pour too much vinegar down your sink it will corrode your drains and pipes.

Can boiling water be poured down the drain?

Boiling water can be poured down the drain. When you pour boiling water down the drain it can soften the hard substances that were building up inside your pipes. Boiling water can be poured down your drain in larger quantities than vinegar, however, be mindful of the temperature of this water. Anything too hot can expand or even melt your PVC pipes. This will create a big job for your local Brisbane plumber.

What else shouldn’t I pour down the sink?Man Fixing Kitchen Sink P8647Ra Resized

You should not pour down:

Although these substances are usually broken into smaller pieces, they should not be washed down the sink. They are still able to stick together and block your drains and pipes over time.

Brisbane plumbers

Have you been making some of these common mistakes? If so you are not alone as we Brisbane plumbers see it all the time. It may be about time, however, for you to get your pipes checked. There may already be a build-up of unwanted substances, leading to an unhealthy flow of water. You may have even noticed a decrease in the water pressure.  

Blocked pipes and drains are a common problem seen by The Brisbane Plumbers. If your drains are already blocked you may want to utilise our blocked drain services. If you have any problems or concerns about your pipes and drains, contact The Brisbane Plumbers. We are Brisbane’s leading emergency plumbers. We’re available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, any day of the year. We also have a 60 minutes response time guarantee. Call now on 0450 932 850.