Everyday household objects that could result in clogged drains.

Is it okay to pour oil down the kitchen sink? Are flushable wipes and toilet paper interchangeable? Are drain covers essential for the bathroom?

Regardless of your living situation, it is important to prevent drain blockages by being mindful of what goes down the drain. The guidelines on safe materials for the drain can be unclear at times.

Causes of Drain Clogs

Common causes of clogged pipes and drains are found throughout the house, ranging from flushing dental floss to rinsing coffee grounds down the kitchen sink.

In the Kitchen

A common issue seen in Sydney is blocked drains due to the accumulation of oil and grease poured down the kitchen sink.

When oil cools, it hardens which can clog pipes and drains when mixed with food or debris. It’s important to avoid pouring oil down the sink. Dispose of cooking oil, fat, and tuna can oil in a sealed container before discarding in the trash. Prior to washing dishes, use newspaper or paper towels to remove grease from frying pans.

Use a kitchen sink strainer to catch food scraps and other debris to prevent them from going down the drain, then empty it into the bin regularly.

To avoid odours, you might want to think about getting a garbage disposal or using a compost bin.

In the Laundry

The mixture of lint and grease from laundry can lead to drain blockages.

Regularly emptying the lint filter on your washing machine and avoiding excess laundry detergent can help in preventing this issue. Make sure to check your pockets for tissues and money before you put them in the wash.

In the Toilet

Only human waste and toilet paper should be flushed down the toilet.

Do not flush baby wipes, ‘flushable’ wipes, condoms, dental floss, cotton swabs, feminine hygiene products, or nappies. Flushable wipes do not break down like toilet paper does when wet, which can lead to clogs in your plumbing – please, do not use them.

Also, please remember to keep the lid closed to prevent small children from placing toys or other objects in the toilet.

In the Bathroom

Debris washed down showers and basins can lead to plumbing issues.

Cleaning drains with a mix of hot water, baking soda, and vinegar helps maintain the drainage system and prevents pipe damage. To prevent drain clogs, it’s advisable to use a hair trap in the shower, basin, and bath since it’s typical to lose up to 100 hairs daily.

Remember to remove objects like face washers and toys from the bath before draining the water.

Everywhere Else

Tree roots are a common reason for drain blockages, but there’s a solution with pipe relining.

Make sure to select garden plants that won’t cause potential plumbing issues in the future for you or your neighbours.

Various items such as unused medicine, cat litter, and paint should not be disposed of in the drain.

Chemicals and cleaning products should not be disposed of in the drain, as they can cause significant damage to your pipes despite being in liquid form.

I have accidentally flushed something down that may have caused a blockage.

A blocked drain can lead to unpleasant smells and potential flooding if not taken care of promptly.

If you believe you may have a blockage from household items in your drain, here are 7 indicators that you should watch for.

Recommended professional contact for long-term drain clog solutions.

To prevent drain blockages, it’s important to be conscious of what you’re disposing of down the drain and to keep up with routine maintenance to ensure your plumbing functions properly.

If pipes get blockages due to being old, cracked, or broken, reach out to Reline-A-Pipe for a free pipe relining consultation.

Our team at Reline-A-Pipe can not only clear blocked drains but also prevent future blockages using our trenchless pipe relining method.

Sydney’s most trusted pipe relining specialists offer a hassle-free solution without any complications.

For assistance with a blocked drain, please contact us on 9649 1099.