Plumbing Blog

Woman Using Plunger In Kitchen Sink

How to Keep Your Favorite Foods From Clogging the Pipes

Pipes weren’t designed for half of the things that get flushed down the drain. It may seem that all is clear when there’s nothing left in the sink, but that doesn’t mean everything is OK with the pipes. Foods, including many of your favorite snacks, can stick to the pipes and other food particles to form clogs. Those clogs can then cause backups and damage to pipes.

The best way to avoid clogs and pipe damage is to scrape your plate of leftover food in the trash before putting it in the sink or dishwasher. It also helps to use a drain catcher to catch whatever food bits you can before they go down the drain.

Foods You Should Never Wash Down the Drain

A good rule of thumb is to limit what goes down the drain to only water and water-based foods. Here’s a list of food items to avoid:

  • Nuts – Nuts break down in the garbage disposal and can easily latch on to other food particles in the pipes. Furthermore, they can turn into a paste, or nut butter, that later sticks to the pipes themselves, potentially causing a clog.
  • Beans and pasta – Beans and pasta expand while cooking. Hot water is often used to rinse plates and clean the sink as well as to get rid of clogs. If those beans and pasta bits expand in the pipes, they could cause a clog.
  • Peels and rinds – Potato peels, banana peels, and melon rinds are hard to break down. They can damage the blades of the garbage disposal or simply get stuck somewhere in the pipes. Furthermore, potato peels are starchy and sticky.
  • Eggs and eggshells – Eggs are stringy foods that can wrap around the garbage disposal blades. Eggs, along with their outer shell, can cling to other food particles and cause clogs.
  • Bones – Bones can damage the garbage disposal before getting stuck in the pipes.
  • Meat and poultry – Chicken, steak, and pork are stringy foods when broken down into bits. Much like eggs, stringy foods can wrap around the blades of the garbage disposal as well as other food items in the pipes. Another thing to note is that when foods stick to garbage disposal blades, they begin to smell after a day or two. This means you’re much more likely to put damaging chemicals down the drain to get rid of the smell.

Keep Your Pipes Clean

The reality is that it’s nearly impossible to keep some food bits from washing down the drain. This is where a professional drain cleaning service is so beneficial. Drain cleanings get rid of any clogs that are stuck in the pipes. This will keep them from building to the point where they burst and cause significant damage to your property. Call us at Buckeye Plumbing in Dayton, OH for drain cleaning services.

For more information about Buckeye Plumbing & Property Solutions do not hesitate to call us today. 937-749-7097

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Brittany Foster
Brittany Foster
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Kelly & James (I think is his name) we’re WONDERFUL! Punctual, respectful, and helped my family within 2 hours of my emergency phone call. I appreciate their services and will be calling for any future needs!! Thank you both so much!
Susan Rauch
Susan Rauch
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Employee arrived on time and replaced a toilet and replaced bathroom vanity and all plumbing. During installation discovered a leak which they repaired. Both men were polite and worked efficiently.
Robert Brock
Robert Brock
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Corey and Blake did an excellent job replacing our water heater. They showed up on time, explained what the job entailed, and presented me with an estimate within 20 minutes of being on-site. The customer service reps at the office were also very friendly and answered any questions I had.
Jennifer Black
Jennifer Black
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These guys are the rock stars of the plumbing world! Knowledgeable, honest, professionals who I would recommend to anyone and will definitely use again for any future plumbing needs.
Sheri Talley
Sheri Talley
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Main drain from house to street was block. James and Darryl arrived earlier than expected. They were very friendly, courteous and respectful of my property. They cleaned up after the job was completed. I am very pleased with this company.
Shelbea Stewart
Shelbea Stewart
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HUGE shout out to Buckeye Plumbing! The entire staff is always super responsive and very friendly! I am the property manager for an apartment complex and they have tended to our every need including all emergency after hour calls! They do an excellent job with all repairs and are very quick to do so. Incredible company!
Peggy Miller
Peggy Miller
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I needed an estimate on repairs for a home I am purchasing and time was of the essence. Jonna set things up quickly for me and Blake performed the service and all in record time! I highly recommend this company for it's prompt, professional, and friendly service.
Ronald Seaton
Ronald Seaton
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Did a very good job. Still waiting on drywall repair and tile replacement around the new fixtures in the tub shower area. James was very professional and personable. The job is finished and we are very satisfied.