Valentine’s Day Plumbing Disasters: What Not to Put Down Your Drains

Valentine’s Day is all about good food, celebrations, and spending time at home. Unfortunately, it’s also a time when plumbers see a spike in clogged drains and sewer backups. Heavy cooking, rich foods, and improper disposal habits can quickly turn a romantic evening into a plumbing emergency. Knowing what not to put down your drains can help you avoid costly repairs and keep your home running smoothly.

Grease and Cooking Oils

Grease is one of the most common causes of drain blockages, especially around holidays. While grease may go down the drain as a liquid, it quickly cools and solidifies inside your pipes. Over time, it sticks to pipe walls, traps debris, and leads to stubborn clogs. Always pour grease into a sealed container and dispose of it in the trash.

Food Scraps and Leftovers

Even with a garbage disposal, certain foods should never go down your sink. Pasta, rice, and potatoes expand with water and can clog pipes. Fibrous foods like celery, onion skins, and asparagus can wrap around disposal blades and cause jams. When in doubt, throw food scraps in the trash instead of the drain.

Coffee Grounds and Eggshells

Coffee grounds may seem harmless, but they clump together and settle in pipes, creating blockages over time. Eggshells don’t break down easily and can combine with grease and other debris to form tough clogs. Both should always go in the trash.

Wipes and Paper Products

So-called “flushable” wipes, paper towels, and feminine hygiene products do not dissolve like toilet paper. These items can quickly block sewer lines and are a leading cause of backups. Only human waste and toilet paper should ever be flushed.

Chemicals and Harsh Cleaners

Pouring chemical drain cleaners down your pipes can do more harm than good. These products can damage pipes, especially older systems, and often fail to fully remove the blockage. Professional drain cleaning is a safer and more effective solution.

How to Avoid a Valentine’s Day Plumbing Disaster

• Scrape plates into the trash before rinsing
• Run cold water while using the garbage disposal
• Space out sink and dishwasher use
• Schedule preventive drain cleaning if your drains have been slow

Call Open-Drains Before a Small Clog Becomes a Big Problem

If you notice slow drains, gurgling sounds, or unpleasant odors, don’t wait. Open-Drains provides expert drain cleaning, rodding, hydro-jetting, and emergency plumbing services throughout Chicago. A little prevention now can save you from a major plumbing disaster later.