Many people treat their drainage systems like a catch-all for undesirable debris. Property owners often treat anything damp, smelly, or unappealing as something they can flush down a drain, but this is often untrue and can damage a drain system.
At South Florida Lift Stations Inc., our experienced team advises you to reconsider your approach to disposing of certain items through your drainage system. Doing so can devastate a building’s plumbing system, no matter how new or robust it seems.
What is Safe to Put Down the Drain?
Lift stations, sewage pumps, and other integral elements of a plumbing system are fairly limited in what they can transfer away from a building. Although toilets and drains might temporarily remove certain items, professionals don’t recommend that you flush a drain with inappropriate items constantly.
What is safe to put down the drain? You can safely flush the following substances:
- Cleaning solutions designed for plumbing systems
- Water
- Body waste
- Dirt and soap runoff from washing hands or taking a shower
- Toilet paper
Trying to flush items beyond these acceptable substances can damage your plumbing system.
What is NOT Safe to Flush Down a Drain?
Drains clog easily from the buildup of numerous substances. Additionally, neither toilets nor sink drains can successfully break down certain objects. The long list of items not to flush down drains surprises many people.
Avoid rinsing the following materials down a drainage system:
- Food
- Hygiene products like pads, tampons, diapers, and wipes
- Grease or oil
- Cigarettes
- Small items like floss, swabs, or cotton balls
- Medications
- Bandages
- Disposable gloves
- Paper towels and tissues
- Fertilizers, pesticides, and other outdoor chemicals
Foodstuffs, grease, and most paper or hygiene products can clog a sanitary system, which prevents water from escaping. This eventually leads to unsanitary water backing up into the building where the occupants stay.
Household chemicals not formulated for plumbing systems can degrade pipes, leading to leaks and potential contamination. Products like fertilizer or poisons can pollute freshwater systems and cause negative effects on your local environment.
Flush a Drain with These Cleaning Solutions
If you or other building occupants have previously flushed unsafe items down the drain, you can reverse some of the damage through routine drain maintenance. You can also flush drain cleaner down the toilet or drain to remove any blockages.
Combinations of hot water, vinegar, and baking soda offer safe and readily available solutions to cleanse a drainage system. If these formulas don’t remove the blockage, choose an appropriate chemical drain cleaner instead. Seek professional services if you still notice signs of a drain clog.
Keep small trash cans in restrooms and kitchens to encourage proper disposal of hygiene products. Don’t flush a drain with improper chemical products. Seek local operations that handle harsh indoor and outdoor chemicals.
Choose Us for Comprehensive Lift Station Services
Do you need professional services to clean or maintain your lift station? At South Florida Lift Stations Inc., we conveniently serve Ft. Myers, FL and the surrounding areas. Learn more about our professional services by contacting us at (239) 332-0041 or via our online contact form.
