Ever heard that putting coffee grounds down the sink can clean or freshen the scent in the drain? Don’t fall prey to the myth! You should never use a garburator like a garbage can. Take it from the experts at Mr. Rooter® Plumbing: resist the urge to put coffee grounds down the drain unless you want to have some serious clogs on your hands.
Let’s take a closer look at why this is a problem and what you can do if you’ve already committed the sin and are facing a clog in your kitchen sink drains.
Why You Shouldn’t Put Coffee Grounds Down the Sink
If food can go down the garburator, why isn’t the same true for coffee grounds? Unlike most foods, coffee grounds clump together in water rather than breaking down. With time, the grounds can build up inside your sink drains, creating clogs that can prohibit the drains from doing their job. Coffee grounds should always go in the garbage can or compost. They also serve as a nice fertilizer for your garden if you have a green thumb.
Other items that should go in the garbage rather than the garburator include:
- Grease, oil and fats
- Starchy foods like pasta, rice, potatoes or potato peels
- Fibrous items like eggshells, banana peels, fish skins and celery
- Anything that is not food, like cigarette butts, metal, wood, glass and sponges
Like coffee grounds, these items can clog your drains or jam the garburator. When it doubt about where to put kitchen waste, always choose the garbage can or compost.
What to Do If You Put the Wrong Stuff Down the Drain
If the deed has been done, and you need garburator repair, help with drain clogs, or other kitchen plumbing repairs, it’s important to get service from experienced plumbing professionals. Signs you need help with a clogged drain or malfunctioning garburator include:
- Water backing up out of the sink drain
- Slow draining water in the sink
- A gurgling noise coming from the sink
- Odour of rotting food coming up from the kitchen drain
- Food particles visible in the sink after you run the dishwasher
If you notice any of these problems with your kitchen sink, it’s time to call on the licensed, expert technicians to evaluate your kitchen plumbing and garburator. They have the professional tools and expertise to identify the source of your problem and provide the efficient repairs you need to get your kitchen sink and garburator performing optimally once again.
Get an estimate for plumbing services online now or call us for more information.
