Our plumbing systems are not designed to handle everything that we try to put down the drain.

Abusing your home’s plumbing system by allowing it to come into contact with specific items and materials could eventually cause it to fail. Such failure may cost a significant amount of money.

Here are some examples of things that should never go down the drain.

What are the things that should never go down the drain?

1. Coffee Grounds

Don’t put the coffee grounds in the garbage disposal or the drain when you prepare a fresh pot of coffee in the morning.

When in water, coffee grounds don’t decompose. They persist in a grittier state and mix with other substances that may clog drains. 

Coffee grounds can accumulate, clog the sink in the kitchen, and even foul your garbage disposal. 

You can dispose of coffee grounds in the garbage safely. You can also put them in a compost, mix with coconut oil to exfoliate your skin, or make coffee-scented candles. 

2. Egg Shells

Eggshells may appear to be harmless, but they can produce granular trash that binds to other waste and clog drains. This can require a complete cleaning of the garbage disposal. 

Grinding eggshells in the garbage disposal to sharpen the blades is a myth. Garbage disposals have no blades to sharpen but instead, have blunt impellers that pulverize food waste rather than cutting it into pieces. 

Eggshell membranes can easily clog the impellers. So, avoid grinding up eggshells if you want to prevent damaging your garbage disposal. 

3. Flushable Wipes

Don’t be deceived by the frequent claims that moist towelettes are flushable wipes. They aren’t degradable and flushing them down the toilet is comparable to flushing disposable paper towels or cleaning rags.

Thus, avoid flushing them.

Wipes that are said to be flushable can harden into clogs when they mix with fats, oils, grease, hair, and other waste materials.

4. Grease, Fat, and Oils

These substances seem to be the three main causes of kitchen plumbing issues. They can generate thick, sticky globs that coat pipes until nothing can pass through them, acting as a binder for other things like eggshells.

In fact, almost 50% of all sewer overflows are caused by these substances. So, the ideal practice is to put bacon grease, meat fat, and other substances of this nature into a jar or container, let them cool, and then dispose of them in the garbage.

5. Produce Stickers

These seemingly harmless tiny stickers can actually cause issues inside your pipes. 

If they manage to get through, they might become stuck in the filters and wastewater treatment pipes which would interfere with the machinery used to purify your water.

If they get past both of these barriers, they might also get into the water supply.

6. Paper Towels and Cotton Balls

Paper towels might decompose in landfills, but not in pipes. They can block plumbing systems because of their absorbency. 

Remember that anything durable enough to scrub with won’t degrade rapidly and flushing paper towels can clog a toilet.

On the other hand, cotton balls can fill in gaps in the drain lines. They’re difficult to pull apart, and they definitely won’t come unstuck on their own. 

7. Medication

Never flush any unused or unwanted prescription or over-the-counter medications down the drain or toilet. 

According to studies, medications flushed down the toilet can contaminate lakes and streams, and even make their way into our drinking water.

When the chemicals in these medications contaminate water sources, people and wildlife may be affected. For example, hormones and antidepressants can be dangerous as they impede aquatic animals’ growth or reproduction.

Medications might not necessarily result in a clogged drain or broken garbage disposal, but they could contaminate public water systems. Use local recycling programs to get rid of these expired and unused pharmaceuticals.

8. Disposable Diapers

Disposable diapers should never be flushed down the toilet, regardless of how nasty they are. They can clog U-bends under toilets, in pipes, and in sewer lines since they are highly absorbent, non-biodegradable, and prone to doing so.

A plumbing snake or power auger may be needed to help unclog the pipes before flushing a disposable diaper. As the hand-cranked snakes typically used for plumbing are insufficient for this task, you’ll probably need a plumber with heavier equipment.

The majority of disposable diapers are marked “flushable,” but many also state that they’re “not septic safe,” which means that they can block a septic system. 

9. Feminine Hygiene Products

While some people and businesses contend that flushing tampons are more hygienic, plumbers who have to fix toilets because of tampon clogs tend to disagree. Such feminine products don’t dissolve in water and they’ll probably get stuck.

If they successfully pass through the pipes in your home, they may pose issues when they enter septic tanks and wastewater treatment facilities. All feminine hygiene items should, in general, be neatly wrapped and disposed of in a trash container.

10. Bones and Fruit Pits 

Plumbing lines and your garbage disposal are both at risk with these things. Flushing any of these down the toilet could clog both the toilet and the sewer line to which it is connected if such stuff reaches that far.

By expecting your garbage disposal to grind bones or fruit pits, you may risk destroying it. Even commercial garbage disposals with 5 to 10 horsepower are not intended for this. Nothing bigger than a fishbone should go into your residential garbage disposal.

11. Vegetable Peels

One of two things can happen when you put vegetable peels down the garbage disposal: either the peels are broken up into a starchy paste or they become thin enough to go through the disposal and clog the drain.

You may experience significant obstructions in the future if this material manages to get into the pipes. The same thing goes for beans and other starchy veggies.

12. Pasta, Rice, and Bread

What ties these three items together? They all expand after absorbing water, which is a surefire way to clog a drain.

Don’t worry if some leftover spaghetti accidentally gets flushed down the garbage disposal. However, don’t do it frequently either.

If you must put pasta, rice, bread or grains down the disposal, be sure to run it for at least 30 seconds and make sure to flush the drain with cold water to prevent the grains from expanding. 

13. Milk

Milk should not be poured down the drain. In fact, there are fines for this kind of disposal in some places. 

The reason for this is that the process of breaking down milk requires a substantial amount of oxygen. As the process is finished, there is less oxygen available for the living beings that depend on it.

Large volumes of milk have the power to suffocate entire ecosystems. Yogurt, cream, butter, and cheese can all have the same disastrous effects.

14. Paints

Never put paint down the sink, whether it’s water-based or oil-based paint.

In many areas, the disposal of paints is governed by laws and ordinances. Some rules are so stringent that even cleaning paint brushes in a sink is prohibited.

The condition of the pipes is not the problem here. It’s the number of toxins and chemicals in paint that can make their way to the water supply.

To dispose of the paint, you might need to find a hazardous waste facility near where you reside.

15. Bleach

Pouring bleach into your plumbing system will cause more damage than good.

Being a toxic and powerful substance, bleach needs to be handled carefully. It will react with other materials that are stuck in your pipes and emit fumes, clogging the system further.

16. Automotive Fluids

Plumbing systems can be damaged by automotive chemicals and fluids, such as engine oil, antifreeze, transmission fluid, braking fluid, fuel, and gear oil. These are harmful to the environment, people, and wildlife as well.

Stores that sell vehicle fluids, oil, and batteries offer safe recycling for the majority of these items. For the antifreeze, you might need to transport it in a closed container to a nearby recycling facility.

17. Fertilizer, Pesticides, Insecticides, and Herbicides

For safe disposal of outdated fertilizers, pesticides, insecticides, or herbicides, bring them to a recycling facility. When they get into lakes and streams through your plumbing system, they endanger people and wildlife.

Moreover, flushing dry fertilizers and chemicals can corrode plumbing system joints and pipes. Any parts that aren’t completely dissolved can combine with other debris to create blockages.

How to Unclog Your Drains

All plumbing systems eventually develop clogs, especially if you put things that shouldn’t be there in the first place.

These tried-and-true methods will clear almost any clog. However, if you’re unable to remove a clog after several attempts, turn the job over to a drain-cleaning business or a skilled plumber to prevent further problems. 

How to Unclog a Kitchen Sink

1. Check the Garbage Disposal

Unclogging the garbage disposal should be one of the first things you should do if your kitchen sink is clogged. Run the garbage disposal for one or two minutes with running hot water to see if the clog has been cleared.

If that doesn’t work, turn off the garbage disposal and give it a thorough inspection to ensure it’s operating properly.

2. Pour Boiling Water 

Pouring boiling water down the drain is considered the simplest and least expensive method. 

It’s important to first empty out any water from the clogged sink as much as you can. Then, pour the entire content of the kettle into the sink and leave it there for a few minutes.

If the water in the sink doesn’t drain, the blockage is still there. You might need to repeat the procedure several times to clear the clog.

Salt can occasionally help unblock a drain – pour around half a cup of table salt down the drain then add about a quart of boiling water after that. After letting it sit for a while, flush it with hot water to clear the mixture.

3. Use a Plunger

If flushing the blockage with water in your kitchen sink’s garbage disposal didn’t work, it’s time to get a regular household sink plunger. 

If you have a double sink, block the drain on one side with a wet cloth or a stopper first. Since you’ll need to create a tight seal around the bell of the plunger, fill the side of the sink you wish to dive into with enough water to cover it.

4. Baking Soda and Vinegar

Baking soda and vinegar is one of the best ways to unclog a drain.

Begin by removing any standing water from the sink, pour one cup of baking soda, followed by one cup of either white vinegar or apple cider vinegar down the drain.

Wait for about 15 minutes after the bubbling stops, then run some hot water to see if the clog is removed.

If the water is draining, but at a slower rate than usual, the clog isn’t yet completely gone. So attempt to perform the procedure once more.

5. Clean the P-trap

To clear the obstruction, it might be necessary to clean the P-trap in your kitchen sink. The P-trap for your kitchen sink is situated at the bend in the pipes. 

Put a pail or bucket underneath the drain to catch any water or debris that may leak out. After that, release any obstructions by releasing the P-trap from the drainpipe.

Put the P-trap back and then let the warm water flow through the pipes for a few minutes.

6. Use a Coat Hanger

A wire coat hanger can also be a useful tool if your kitchen sink is clogged. It may be long enough to clear some obstacles even though it can’t reach as far into your kitchen sink plumbing as a plumber’s snake can.

Straighten out the hanger wire and push it through the kitchen drain or “stub pipe”. If you can reach the blockage, try pulling it out but be careful as the wire might scratch your sink.

7. Employ a Plumber’s Snake

A plumber’s snake or auger is available in almost any hardware store. It’s a practical tool to clear obstacles stuck farther down the drainage system under your kitchen sink.

To expose the “stub pipe” or “stub out” that runs under the cabinet wall, you will need to disassemble the drainpipe and P-trap that are located beneath the kitchen sink. Enter the snake here and hold it there until you run against resistance to clear the pipe.

How to Unclog a Toilet

1. Use a Plunger 

Toilets can be easily unclogged using plungers, but proper technique is crucial. Above the toilet’s hole, place the plunger and maintain a tight seal while plunging up and down rapidly.

Keep in mind to lift the plunger only a few inches with each upstroke, keeping it below the waterline the entire time. Be patient because it can take several rounds of plunge cycles to loosen the blockage.

2. Put Some Dish Soap 

To clear a clogged toilet without a plunger, go to the kitchen and get some dish soap. The slippery soap may lubricate the clogged pipe and facilitate the release of the stuck particles.

Half a cup of powdered dish soap can also be added to the toilet. Break up a bar of hand soap and flush the pieces down the toilet if you don’t have enough dish soap.

3. Use an Auger

A toilet auger is a useful and user-friendly item to have on hand. The auger is typically the first tool a plumber would go for if you called them about a clogged toilet.

They come in various shapes and sizes, and there might be a few subtle variations in how you use them. The wire can be manually maneuvered into the toilet drain while others coming simply coiled, and the majority have handles that you can spin.

4. Pour in Some Hot Water

Pouring in some hot water is one of the best solutions when you have a terrible clog or your toilet won’t flush. However, avoid letting it reach the boiling point.

Pour it down the drain and wait a few minutes to see if it helps to clear the clog. If you notice the water beginning to drain, your efforts were successful. Repeatedly flush the toilet after that. In many cases, hot water is enough to dislodge the clog.

5. Vinegar and Baking Soda

You can also use non-toxic household cleaning supplies like vinegar and baking soda to unclog your toilet. 

For clogged toilets, we advise adding a cup of baking soda and waiting a few minutes. Slowly pour two glasses of vinegar into the toilet after that.

You should pour vinegar and baking soda cautiously and gently to avoid the toilet water overflowing or splashing. Let the vinegar and baking soda mixture work for a few minutes.

To see if the blockage has been cleared, flush your toilet. You might need to repeat the procedure until the clog has been removed. 

Cost of Hiring a Plumber

In Brisbane, the average cost to hire a professional plumbing service ranges between $50 and $150 per hour. However, this rate still depends on various factors such as the size and complexity of the job. 

On the other hand, plumbers additionally charge a call-out fee to cover their travel expenses when visiting your premises to assess the work. Depending on the day and week, the call-out cost will typically range from $50 to $150.

Plumbers provide a range of different services and depending on the plumbing job required, the cost also varies. Below are the different plumbing services and their corresponding costs.

Type of Plumbing Job	Average Costs
Unblock a simple toilet or kitchen drain	$80 to $120
Clear a short stretch of blocked drain	$300 to $500
Replace a portion of your drainage piping	$1000 to $3000
Sink installation	$100
Toilet installation	$200 – $1000
Repair a dripping tap or leaking toilet	$60 – $140
Replace an entire drainage system	$5,000 to $20,000
Re-plumbing an entire house	$6,000 to $12,000

The best option when a homeowner’s drain becomes clogged is to call in a professional drain cleaning service. Here are Brisbane’s top plumbing services to choose from to get the job done right.

Top Plumbing Services in Brisbane

1. Alliance Plumbing

From installing new taps to carrying out plumbing repairs, Alliance Plumbing provides a wide range of plumbing services. They give a complete fixed-price quote before starting the work, giving you financial peace of mind and preventing any unforeseen costs.

WEBSITE:	https://allianceplumbing.com.au/
ADDRESS:	13 Clarence St, Coorparoo QLD 4151, Australia
CONTACT INFO:	+61 7 3397 2030
OPERATING HOURS:	Monday – Friday: 7:30AM– 4PM

2. Botanical Plumbing Services

Although Botanical Plumbing Services is based in inner city Brisbane, their services range across the South East of Queensland. From repairing a leaky pipe to undertaking large plumbing projects, they provide seamless and comprehensive plumbing services.

WEBSITE:	https://botanicalplumbing.com.au/
ADDRESS:	12 Alverstone St, Banyo QLD 4014, Australia
CONTACT INFO:	+61 7 3171 2820, [email protected]
OPERATING HOURS:	Monday – Friday: 6AM–6PM, Saturday & Sunday: Open 24 hours

3. Jabiru Plumbing Services

Based in Ashgrove and serving the greater Brisbane area, Jabiru Plumbing Services is a family-operated business. They have a team of skilled plumbers, gasfitters, and drainers who are passionate about providing excellent client service.

WEBSITE:	http://jabiruplumbing.com.au/
ADDRESS:	Ashgrove LPO, QLD 4060
CONTACT INFO:	+61 7 3311 2432, [email protected]
OPERATING HOURS:	Monday – Friday: 7AM–5PM

4. Soul Plumbing Services

For more than 15 years, Soul Plumbing has offered top-notch plumbing and gas fitting services in the Brisbane and Logan areas. They place a high emphasis on their consumers and work hard to provide the best services at fair costs.

WEBSITE:	https://www.brisbane-plumber.com.au/
ADDRESS:	Calamvale, QLD, Australia
CONTACT INFO:	+61 432 715 132, [email protected]
OPERATING HOURS:	Monday – Sunday: open 24 hours

5. Millars Plumbing Services

Millars Plumbing Services is a family-run company based in Brisbane’s Redlands Coast. With more than 19 years of experience in the plumbing sector, they continue to strive to not only set the bar for plumbing maintenance services but also to surpass it. 

WEBSITE:	https://www.millarsplumbing.com/
ADDRESS:	25-27 Hardy Rd, Wellington Point QLD 4160, Australia
CONTACT INFO:	+61 7 3822 2422, [email protected]
OPERATING HOURS:	Monday – Friday: 7AM-5PM

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Have you ever stopped to think about what happens to the water and waste once it goes down the drain? This article discusses some of the things that you should not put down the drain to reduce the risk of clogs and prolong the life of your plumbing system.