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What Not to Pour Down Your Drain This Thanksgiving: Grease, Coffee Grounds, Potato Peels, Rice

  What Not to Pour Down Your Drain This Thanksgiving: Grease, Coffee Grounds, Potato Peels, Rice Thanksgiving cooking season brings abundance and, unfortunately, a surge in drain clogs caused by everyday kitchen waste. By understanding which items should never go down the drain, households can save on maintenance and avoid messy backups.   What to avoid pouring down the drain   Grease and fat solidify as they cool, coating pipes and trapping food particles to form stubborn blockages. Coffee grounds look like they should disappear in the sink, but they accumulate and compact, creating dense plogs that resist water flow. Potato peels, while compostable in many systems, can jam garbage disposals or snag on pipes, especially in older homes. Finally, dry or cooked rice swells with water and can trap debris, contributing to clogs when flushed or poured.   Grease and fats   Best practice: allow grease to cool and solidify in a nondrain container, then trash it. For sma...
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Drain Myths Plumbers Hear Every Week—and What’s True

 Drain Myths Plumbers Hear Every Week—and What’s True

Drain Myths Plumbers Hear Every Week—and What’s True


Every week, plumbers hear the same set of “surefire” fixes for slow drains and stubborn clogs. Some myths sound harmless, but many lead to repeat problems, costly repairs, or preventable pipe damage. Understanding what actually works can save time, money, and plumbing wear—and help you avoid making a minor issue much bigger.

 

While every plumbing system is different, the following myths are consistent across service calls. Consider them a reality check before you reach for the kettle, the chemicals, or the wrong items “because they usually work.”

 

Myth 1: Boiling water melts drain clogs

 

Boiling water can temporarily soften certain substances, but it often fails against real blockages like grease buildup, hair, soap scum, or hard debris. In some cases, rapid temperature changes can stress older pipes or fixtures. For stubborn clogs, plumbers typically recommend mechanical methods firs ... Read more »

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