There are many items that can clog the drains in your Anoka, MN, home. Coffee grounds are one of these items. While it may seem like they’re small enough to wash away in your sink, coffee grounds can clump and cause clogs. Other items, like fibrous vegetables, starchy foods, grease, and eggshells, can also cause problems. Our team here at Liberty Comfort Systems can help keep your drains clean and address clogs when they do occur.
The Problem With Coffee Grounds
Unfortunately, coffee grounds don’t dissolve. That’s why they’re left behind after you brew your cup of coffee. They are very dense and fibrous, retaining their texture even when they are submerged in water for a long period of time. When they go down your drain and are forced into a tight space, these grounds can stick to the pipe walls. If you have other items going down your drain, including soap or grease, a thick sludge can quickly form.
Not to mention, coffee grounds can damage your garbage disposal. They can jam the motor, causing permanent damage. They can also dull the blades of your disposal, making it less effective for other items.
If you have a septic system, coffee grounds can settle at the bottom of your tank. This increases the risk of sludge buildup and reduces the capacity of your tank.
What to Do If Coffee Grounds Go Down Your Drain
Perhaps you didn’t know coffee grounds couldn’t go down your drain, or someone else allowed them to go into your plumbing system. Flush your drain very well with hot water. You can also pour 1/2 cup of baking soda down your drain, followed by 1 cup of vinegar. This can help loosen any buildup or clogs in your pipes.
If a clog has already formed, try using a plunger to push it through. Call our team if you can’t fix the problem yourself. Even if you see drainage slowing slightly, professional attention can prevent the problem from getting worse. A large clog can stress your pipes, leading to leaks or a burst pipe. This quickly results in extensive water damage.
Other Problematic Items
Aside from coffee grounds, there are many other foodstuffs and non-food items that you should avoid putting down your drain. Even with routine maintenance, you can develop substantial plumbing problems from the following items.
Grease, Fats, and Oils
After cooking and eating, make sure you always wipe off plates and cookware so that you minimize the oils and fats that go down your drain. These substances act like a glue, allowing other debris to become trapped in your drains and pipes.
Eggshells
While you may be able to break down eggshells into small bits, they have very sharp edges that can cause problems. Also, the membrane inside the shell can stick to the pipe walls.
Fibrous Vegetables
The fibrous material in things like onions, celery, and corn can tangle and block the flow of water through your pipes. This can also create a trap for other items.
Starchy Foods
As starchy foods, like rice and pasta, absorb water, they swell. This forms large, sticky masses that easily clog pipes.
Flour and Wheat
This is another item that absorbs water easily and then turns into a glue-like substance. Instead, dispose of flour in your garbage can.
Hair
Don’t allow human or pet hair to go down your drain. These small strands easily clump together and stick to the interior of your pipes. It’s very hard to get hair to wash through your pipes and out of your home. Instead, collect the hair in a drain trap and discard it in your garbage.
Small Bones
Always discard meat, fish, and poultry bones in the garbage. Even if these items are very small, they can jam your garbage disposal impeller blades. They can get trapped in pipes easily, especially in areas where bends and connections are located.
Non-Food Items
Don’t allow any garbage to go down your drain. This includes small pieces of plastic, food wrappers, and paper towels. These items will not break down in your plumbing system. They will catch onto other substances in your pipes and cause blockages.
Common Signs of a Drain Clog
It’s obvious you have a drain clog if there is nothing going down your drain, and your sink is backing up with water. However, there are other signs to watch for. A clog can start out small, creating subtle problems that get bigger over time.
Gurgling sounds coming from your drains can indicate that air is getting trapped inside your pipes. There is likely debris in the way that is preventing normal flow. Also, foul odors indicate that something is stuck. Bacteria can form as this clog gets bigger and remains in place.
You don’t always notice problems occurring in the drain that was initially impacted. The clog can move through your plumbing system, leading to issues in other areas. For example, you may notice that another sink or drain slows down. Your toilet may gurgle or have air bubbles coming back up into it if there is a clog in your sewer line. Watch out for overflowing floor drains and outdoor drains, too.
Preventing Drain Clogs
In addition to avoiding putting the wrong items down your drains, there are other methods to help you prevent a clog. For example, use a sink strainer to trap items before they go down your drain. Dispose of any debris that accumulates in this trap.
Flush your drains at least once per month using hot water and baking soda. We recommend that you avoid using a store-bought chemical drain cleaner. Even if these products provide temporary support, they are extremely caustic. You can end up experiencing damage to the interior of your pipes. Also, the chemicals in drain cleaners can irritate your eyes and lungs.
Call our team for periodic cleaning of your drains and plumbing system. We use tools, like drain snakes and augers, to clear away any debris that is forming. Another option is hydro jetting, which uses strong streams of water to clear your drains and sewer lines. We recommend preventive drain cleaning at least once per year. You should call our team if you notice any of the signs mentioned above.
As an alternative to putting coffee grounds and food scraps down your drain, consider composting. This is a great option that is beneficial for the environment and supports a clear plumbing system. You can use the compost for your garden or plants.
Our team at Liberty Comfort Systems can help with all your drain and plumbing needs in the Anoka area. We can perform routine drain cleaning to prevent clogs. Emergency drain cleaning is also available when you experience a stoppage in flow. We also take care of pipe repairs, water filtration, water softeners, and much more. Reach out to us at Liberty Comfort Systems in Anoka for more information or to schedule an appointment.
