A fully or even partially clogged kitchen sink can be annoying and frustrating, causing backflow and drainage problems. It can also result in unpleasant smells and strange noises.
The good news is there are ways to prevent your kitchen sink from becoming clogged up. One of the most common causes of a clogged sink is food. Read on to discover 4 types of foods that clog drains and should never be let down your kitchen sink.
1. Tea leaves and coffee grounds
A number of homeowners are of the belief that because tea leaves and coffee grounds are biodegradable, it is okay to put them down their kitchen sink. The reality is that because these tend to become clumped together within the pipes, they are more likely to cause a clogged sink.
While it is a good thing to put coffee grounds on a compost pile, they should never be allowed into kitchen drains. Dispose of them in coffee cans or just throw them straight into the bin.
2. Hard animal products
Even the toughest garbage disposal can find it difficult to break down items that are particularly hard. Drains can be clogged by the likes of bone shards, eggshells, and even bits of soft fish. When a piece of hard waste is put in a drain, it can become stuck in the pipes and then trap everything else you try to put down the sink after it.
Never clean fish or poultry in your kitchen sink without using a drain cover, and throw all animal products, particularly bones, in the trash bin rather than down the drain.
3. Grease and cooking fat
Fat, grease, and oil remain liquids when they are warm, but after they cool, they become solidified. When fatty substances are washed down a kitchen sink, there is the risk of an obstruction developing when you finish running the hot water. These substances also end up with other bits of debris sticking to them, making the obstruction even larger.
Over a period of time, congealed items of fatty food can result in smelly, clogged sinks. While it is okay to let residual oils go down the kitchen sink, most of your butter, shortening, and bacon grease should instead be placed in plastic bags and then thrown in the garbage can.
4. Starchy foods
Starches should also be kept out of kitchen sinks, including foods such as bread, potatoes and pasta. These food items can become sticky and expand when wet. That causes them to linger in drains, creating some very foul smells.
Conclusion
Pay attention to what you are putting down your kitchen sink in order to avoid drain clogs. If you do have a clogged drain, contact Pro-Service Plumbing for all your plumbing needs.
