Even More Things You Should Never Put Down the Drain

A few weeks ago, we gave you a short list of some common kitchen items than you should never pour down your drain, due to the of risk damaging your plumbing and septic system. Eggshells, flour, coffee grounds and medications were all described as damaging and a surefire way to block your pipes. Well, we’re here to tell you that the list goes on—there are so many things you shouldn’t put down the drain!

We understand that it’s extremely tempting to pour or rinse things down the drain, especially if they’re liquids. However, no amount of running water can help you to prevent pipe blockages in your home or at a treatment plant. To avoid having to call a septic service in Bethel, OH to clean out your backed-up pipes, make sure to never put these items down your drain. Instead, throw them in the trash or find a proper disposal method for them:

  • Produce stickers: If you prepare fruits and vegetables a lot, you’re very familiar with the small stickers that identify the brand and food item on the side. These stickers fall off easily, and it’s natural to want to let them spiral down with the water while you’re washing off your produce. But don’t do this! The stickers will not dissolve, leaving you with clogs or blockages in your water screens or filters.
  • Wipes and towelettes: Items like wipes and towelettes should also be thrown away in the trash, not put down the drain. Even those that claim they are “flushable” have a hard time breaking down and can easily become stuck in your pipes, causing a backup.
  • Cleaning products: You might be tempted to pour excess cleaning products down the drain; after all, most are liquids! However, many of your household cleaning products contain antibacterial agents and other chemical compounds that can’t be removed at a water treatment facility, meaning they end up back in our drinking water and out in the ecosystem.
  • Paper products: You might think, well, toilet paper can go down the drain, so other paper products are okay, too! This is not the case, though. While toilet paper is specifically designed to break down in water, other products like paper towels aren’t. Rather, they’re super absorbent and can expand and get stuck, causing clogs.
  • Paint: Paint is a product that needs to be disposed of carefully, because of its ability to pollute the environment. Don’t be tempted to run the faucet and pour extra paint down the drain. Instead, take your extra paint to your local hazardous waste facility to have it properly disposed of.

If your habit of throwing items down the drain has caused clogs in your system, call Gullett Sanitation Services Inc.! We have 75 years of experience in septic service in Bethel, OH, offering maintenance and repair for both residential and commercial septic systems. We handle all aspects of wastewater management, so call today to find a solution that meets your needs!

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