A house should have an effective plumbing system, yet most homeowners only know what is down the drain until an issue occurs. In Singapore, HDB flat residents, to name one, know what not to put in their drains will save them some repair money and unnecessary complications. Industry giants, such as HDB approved plumbers and 24-hour services, enumerate the following things that must not be put down the drain. This guide covers six materials to avoid in a drainage system so that its functionality and reliability are not compromised.
1. Cooking Oil and Grease
The convenience of pouring oil and grease down the kitchen sink makes people do it, but it causes massive clogs because these substances cool into a solid, which then tends to stick to the internal walls of the pipes. These deposits eventually constrict the flow of water, causing blockages that may require the intervention of an HDB plumber in Singapore. Cooking oil can also trap other debris, worsening the clog. Instead of pouring oils down the sink, pour them into a container to dispose of with solid waste. When the drain is free of oils, you maintain superior drainage without a high likelihood of needing 24-hour plumbers during urgent times.
2. Coffee Ground
Coffee grounds may be particulate, but they form a significant choke point in the pipe since they refuse to dissolve in water. Thus, they tend to stick in the pipe and make it impossible to flow inside them. Mixing coffee grounds with grease or soap makes it harder on the plumbing system’s part to eliminate the problem. HDB-approved plumbers advise that coffee grounds be disposed of with regular rubbish or used in compost. Such a simple habit would help prevent pipe blockage to a great extent and would save homeowners from making repeated calls to plumbing companies in Singapore.
3. Hair and Dental Floss
Hair is one of the primary causes of bathroom drain blockages. When washed down the drain, hair tends to clump together, tangling around other materials and causing backups. Dental floss exacerbates the situation by connecting some of those clumps, and it is not long before a clogged drain disrupts daily activities. A plumber advises you to use shower drain covers and bathroom tub drain covers in the bathroom while taking showers that trap hair on them rather than letting them into the drains. Regularly cleaning covers can still avert hair aggregation in drains, hence, no one will look for the services of a 24-hour plumber for such reasons.
4. Kitchen Waste and Leftovers
Even with a garbage disposal, food waste must not be sent down the sink. Some items like rice, pasta, and fibrous vegetables swell in water and will clog the pipes. Food waste also attracts pests into the plumbing system, which creates hygienic problems and bad smells. In washing dishes, scrape all food into the bin instead of the sink. This behaviour can prevent unwanted blockages, so you may never require the services of an HDB-approved plumber to clear out difficult food-related clogs.
5. Soap Scum and Cleaning Products
The soap itself is harmless but soap scum can build up quite dramatically over time. Since it is made from fats and oils, soap scum sticks to minerals in the water, forming a hard residue along pipes. This buildup limits water flow and attracts more particles creating more hindrances. Harsh detergents in cleaning chemicals also deteriorate pipes, making them vulnerable to other damage that may cause a leak in the pipes. Singapore plumbers recommend mild cleaning chemicals with regular drain servicing to reduce soap buildup.
6. Baby Wipes and Paper Towels
Unlike toilet paper, baby wipes and paper towels do not dissolve easily in water. These items flush and form blockages which are tough to clear and need to be done with a 24-hour plumber in Singapore. Those labelled ‘flushable’ also fail to break down as well as toilet paper does, where it collects inside the pipes. For those used items, baby wipes and paper towels, we dispose responsibly by placing the materials into the rubbish to prevent causing pipe damage; the plumbing system remains in good condition with negligible impact on the environment.
The end begins with what goes down the drain. For example, make sure that all oil, coffee grounds, hair, food scraps, soap, and non-dissolvable wipes get out of your pipes – all of which may be notorious for clogging up to require emergency plumbing – start by keeping them out. Preventive measures such as these help ensure a dependable drainage system and safeguard your household from unwarranted disruptions.
Contact QB Plumbing today, if you have any drainage issues or want to get the professional advice of a plumbing professional. We are ready, and waiting to help with our team of HDB-approved plumbers in Singapore.
