What Not to Pour Down a Drain?

Every drain in your home has a limit. Even if it’s in the kitchen, bathroom, or laundry, pouring the wrong things down our drain causes stubborn clogs, costly plumbing repairs, and even harm to Adelaide’s waterways. Every homeowner must be mindful of what not to pour down a drain. Prevention is key to avoiding blockages and the costly stress of emergency repairs.

Why Being Careful With Your Drains Matters

Blocked drains can lead to costly repairs and disruption where it  can damage pipes, attract pests, and create health hazards.  In fact, Adelaide plumbers say that blockages come from things that should never have been put down sinks or toilets in the first place. And is avoidable. With a few simple habits, you can save yourself time, money, and stress. If you want to be careful and get the job done by professionals, calling emergency Adelaide plumber blocked drain service is the best choice.

Here are things you should pour down the drain.

Things You Should Never Put Down a Sink or Toilet

Here’s a list of the most common culprits that cause blockages and plumbing disasters.

Kitchen Drains

• Culprits are from grease, fats and oils. Once it cools down and solidifies, it will coat the pipes until they trap other debris and build up.
• Starchy foods, like pasta, rice, and flour, swell with water quickly, causing clogs.
• Small but stubborn coffee grounds and eggshells can stick together like sandpaper inside drains.
• Pieces of veggies that tangle up and block pipes, like celery, corn husks, and onion.

Bathroom Drains

• Wipes, cotton buds, and hygiene products should never be poured down the drain. Even “flushable” wipes don’t break down like toilet paper.
• A leading cause of slow-draining showers and sinks is hair and soap scum, which you should avoid.

Laundry Drains

• Lint and fibres can build up over time, especially when combined with detergent residues.
• Harsh cleaners can corrode pipes and harm the environment.

Hazardous Waste

• Paint, solvents, and cleaners don’t belong in drains and should be taken to a safe disposal site.
• Flushing pills contaminates water supplies return them to a pharmacy instead.

Trade Waste & Business Responsibility

If you run a cafe, childcare centre, or food truck in Adelaide, grease traps are essential. They prevent fats and oils from overwhelming public sewers and protect the community from costly blockages.

Simple Tips for Healthy Drains

A few simple daily habits can help you cut down the risk of clogs and prevent costly emergency repairs and keep your plumbing system running freely. Here are the easy, essential tips for maintaining truly healthy drains.

• Use sink strainers to catch scraps and hair.
• Dispose of fats and oils in sealed containers, not sinks.
• Flush drains with hot water weekly.
• Schedule regular inspections with a licensed Adelaide plumber.

Protect Your Home with Professional Help

Knowing what not to pour down a drain is the first step. The next step is having a trusted local plumber on call. At Your Local Tradesman, we specialise in blocked drain prevention and repairs across Adelaide. If you have a clogged kitchen sink, a bathroom backup, or a business grease trap issue, our team has the tools and expertise to get your plumbing flowing again.

Final Takeaway

Small daily choices, like what you pour down your sink, make a big difference. Avoid grease, wipes, chemicals, and food scraps, and you’ll save yourself from messy surprises. And if problems strike, remember you can always count on Your Local Tradesman, your reliable Adelaide plumber for blocked drains and prevention solutions.