Blocked Kitchen Drain: What to Never Put Down Your Sink
Households are victims of blocked kitchen drains all the time. In fact, the most common blockages are caused by the detrimental things we pour down our drains.
The kitchen drains we use every day have made us believe any liquid or food can go down there. And once it’s down the sink, there’s no going back.
At DrainCall, we are used to unblocking drains that have been backed up by toxic fluids and items. That’s why we have compiled a list of some food items that should never go down the drain.
1. Cooking Oil in the Sink
Ah, cooking oil. Perhaps the cardinal sin of drain misuse. It is estimated the UK alone pours up to 18 million litres of cooking oil down the sink each year. Not only is this bad for your drains, it is also illegal to dispose of cooking oil this way since the Water Industry Act 1991.
Cooking oil causes several issues within your drain system. Firstly, the poured oil hardens, creating a natural blockage within the pipes. Then, the oil comes into contact with chemicals within the drain and sewerage systems.
From this, fatbergs are formed. These are usually a waxy, greasy substance that stick to the walls of sewers, and continue to grow and collect debris. Fatbergs can cause floods and backwashes, which contribute to raw sewage being fed into the surrounding area.
On that note, don’t put cooking oil in the sink as it can majorly cause blocked kitchen drains and damage our environment. Instead, cooking oil is best disposed of in a sealed container in your household rubbish.
2. Coffee Grounds Down the Sink
Ignore that old tale which states coffee grounds are good for your drains. Although they may seem like an abrasive solution to cleaning your drains, they are quite the opposite.
The coffee grounds down the sink settle within the pipes and begin to solidify. This can cause a lot of blockages down the line, especially when other food items come into contact with the solidified coffee grounds.
Instead of putting them down the drain, you can dispose of coffee grounds by simply putting them in the bin or composting them. The coffee grounds work as a garden fertiliser because they add nutrients to the soil, which improve drainage, water retention and even aeration.
3. Rice and Pasta in the Sink
Uncooked or cooked, rice and pasta in the sink can create a thick paste. The two are expandable foods and therefore, can easily cause blocked kitchen drains.
Rice grains are small and can easily slip through the drain. Whereas, pasta is coated in semolina flour, which causes food remnants to cling to the insides of pipes.
Instead, simply put any leftovers in the bin. When pouring water down the drain, ensure the plug is down to reduce the risk of food falling in.
4. Medication Down the Sink
Medication is yet another item you should never put down your drains. Putting any drugs, tablets or other medications down your sink can result in blockages and pose a massive threat to people and wildlife.
When medications find their way into the drainage system, water treatment plants cannot remove them. These medications then go back into the water supply and contaminate drinking water.
Rather than putting your medications down the drain, dispose of them in your household waste or take them to a pharmacy for extra caution.
Unblock Your Drains with DrainCall
Let’s face it, we use our kitchen sinks multiple times a day and never give a second thought about what we put down them. However, putting the above items down your drains can result in a complete drain disaster with several issues around your home and the environment.
If you have blocked kitchen drains, our team is ready to help with a quick call. DrainCall offers a hassle-free service that will have your drains back up and running in no time. With more than 40 years of combined experience, you can trust us to fix any drain issue.
