One of the surest ways to clog a kitchen sink is to put too much of the wrong type of waste product down the drain. Certain materials go down the drain easier than others. Others can cause problems that can lead to bad smells, slow or clogged drains, and damaged drainage pipes.

To save yourself the time and trouble of clearing a clogged kitchen sink, here’s a list of items you should never place down a sink or garbage disposal unit:

Bones, Nut Shells, and Fruit Rinds

Hard materials like bones, walnut and other types of nut shells, and the rinds of fruits like cantaloupes, oranges, or watermelons should never be placed down a drain. These types of materials can damage a garbage disposal unit or become lodged in the drain.

Cooking Oils, Greases, and Fats

Grease, fats, and oils can coat the walls of a drain and trap other materials. This buildup eventually restricts to flow of water and materials through the drain, resulting in a clog.

Eggshells

Eggshells are hard on the blades of your disposal blades. Eggshell membranes make them stick to the grease and other built-up material inside your kitchen sink drain.

Pasta, Noodles, and Rice

Pasta, noodles, and rice expand as they absorb water. They can expand to the point where they clog the drain.

Flour

Flour turns into a thick, pasty substance when exposed to water. This may be good for cooking, but it can clog a kitchen drain.

Produce Stickers and Plastic Wraps

Stickers and plastic wraps can become stuck and entangled in the blades of a garbage disposal unit. They can also become lodged in the drain, causing a clog.

Paper Towels and Paper Products

Paper towels and other paper products can expand and get lodged in a drain, resulting in a clog.

Coffee Grounds

One of the most common causes of clogged drains, coffee grounds have a tendency to build up in your pipes and block the flow of water. Old coffee grounds should be placed in a trash bin or compost pile.

Sand, Soil, and Kitty Litter

In addition to causing kitchen sink clogs, these kinds of materials can also damage your pipes.

Paint and Other Chemicals

Paints and chemicals can result in more than just a clogged sink. They can damage your pipes and pollute the environment.

Here’s What to Do if You Have a Clogged Drain

Clogged kitchen sinks happen. They’re one of the most common household plumbing problems. Fortunately, you can clear most clogs yourself.

There are many ways to clear a clogged drain. You can use a tool like a kitchen plunger or drain snake. Drain cleaners work too. If you don’t want to use a harsh chemical drain cleaner, there are several non-toxic drain cleaners you can mix yourself using baking soda, vinegar, dish soap, salt, and other household materials.

If you cannot clear the clog or are experiencing persistent slow or clogged drains, the problem may lie in the pipes leading from the drain. A clogged or damaged pipe can cause these types of issues. A professional plumber may be needed to fix the problem.

Your First Choice for Oceanside, CA Plumbing Emergencies

Clogged drains and other plumbing problems can happen at any time. If you’re experiencing a plumbing emergency in Oceanside, CA, give 1st Choice Plumbing, Flood & Restoration a call. We’ve been providing outstanding emergency plumbing services to home and business owners in Oceanside, CA, and surrounding communities since 2012.

Our team of highly trained and licensed Oceanside, CA plumbers are available 24/7 to deal with whatever plumbing problem you’re dealing with. In most cases, we can be onsite within an hour of your call.

You can contact 1st Choice Plumbing, Flood & Restoration through our website or call us at 866-437-0205 to schedule a visit from an Oceanside, CA plumbing professional.