Does your home have slow drains? The season possibly has something to do with this common plumbing problem. Take a look at the top culprits behind seasonal autumn clogs and what you can do about them.
Caramel and Candied Apples
These fall treats are staples in many households. If you prefer to make your own caramel and candied apples over the store-bought version, you may have leftover ingredients.
What should you do with the remaining melted caramel or candy mix? Before you pour these autumn ingredients down the kitchen sink drain, consider:
- The quickness of the liquid turning into a solid. Both caramel and candied apple coating are sticky liquids. Even though they may both go into the drain easily, as they cool, they'll solidify into a sticking coating. This can cause your sink's drain to narrow or completely clog.
- The stickiness of the ingredients. Not only will the sticky liquids solidify in the drain, but these ingredients can also trap other debris. If you force other food items into the drain, these leftovers can stick to the caramel or candy and cause a serious backup.
- The alternatives. If caramel and candy can clog your sink's drain, what should you do to dispose of them? Pour hot caramel and liquid candy into a recycled glass jar and let the liquid cool completely. Throw the caramel or candy out with the trash.
Along with the caramel and candy, the apples can also clog your drain. Never put peels, cores, stems, or seeds into the sink or garbage disposal. If you do accidentally put caramel or candied apple ingredients down the drain, contact a professional plumber. A chemical drain cleaner may not effectively remove a caramel clump, and a homemade snake could push a clog farther into the pipes.
Coffee and Tea
Now that the weather is cooler, you're likely ready to trade the summertime sips of iced drinks for hot coffee and tea. Even though your pumpkin spiced café picks are liquids, they can still clog your kitchen drains.
How can coffee and tea clog your kitchen drain? These cold-weather drinks may:
- Clump in the drain. Coffee grounds mixed with water can expand in your drain. This can cause clogs and plumbing backups.
- Block the drain. A leftover tea bag that falls down the kitchen sink's drain can stay inside the pipe.
- Build up over time. If coffee grounds or tea (loose or in bags) don't immediately clog your sink's drain, they can over time.
Beyond the coffee and tea, the milk, cream, sugar, and honey you add to your fall beverages can also cause clogs. Prevent backups and pour these items into a jar or put them in the trash.
Halloween Candy
Sticky toffee, nuts, gummies, candy corn, hard candy, lollipops, and other Halloween treats shouldn't go into your sink's drain. Even though you may know not to put sticky candy into your home's plumbing system, your child may not. If your children play a trick-or-treat trick on you (or more specifically, on your home's pipes):
- Call a plumber. While it may seem like a simple fix, an improper candy clog removal can force the food deeper into the plumbing system or damage the pipes. Leave this job to the professionals.
- Don't use the sink. Water won't wash sticky candy down the drain. Instead, it may have the opposite effect. Make sure your family stays far away from the sink while you wait for the plumber.
- Turn the water off. If the candy causes a backup, turn the water off to avoid a potential kitchen flood.
The plumber may need to snake the pipes or remove part of the drain to get to the candy. If you know how many pieces of candy your child put down the drain, tell the plumber. This may help them to completely remove the clog.
Does your home's plumbing need professional help? Contact
Complete Plumbing for more information.
