KB Blog | Kaiser Battistone Septic & Plumbing

February 2012

Some people will dump anything in the sink that will go down the drain, never thinking of how it will affect their systems. “It will just go into the sewer,” they think, “and I won’t have to worry about it.” Not so. Sending the wrong things down your pipes can result in clogged drains, expensive burst pipes, water contamination and sewage issues.

Here are just a few things that should never be dumped or flushed:

Oils and Fats: Not only do these clog the drains in your home, they can build-up to reek havoc on your sewage system, causing buildup and overflowing sewage
Coffee Grinds: Dumping coffee grinds in the sink has been wrongly recommended to combat odors, but grinds are known to clog drains and change the PH balance of a septic system
Paper Towels: Unlike toilet paper and tissues, paper towels are not designed to break apart in water. They are designed to decompose, like paper bags, in garbage dumps.
Paints & Paint Removers: Paint and removers are highly flammable and their fumes can travel in your pipes to release in different parts of your home. They can also contaminate the ground and water supply.
Medications: Unused medications can contaminate the water supply, poisoning your neighborhood and destroy organic wildlife that help in the water filtration system.

Is “Flushable” Cat Litter Really Safe?

For years cat owners have been asking, “Is ‘flushable’ cat litter really safe?” The simple answer is no. Though it may be pleasant to think of a quicker, landfill-free cleanup system, unfortunately the pipes and septic tanks in our homes were not designed to handle such substances. Moisture-absorbing clumps can clog pipes and toilets. Septic tanks can be damaged by the corrosive PH of the litter. Even the eco-friendly litters can harm the system, as they have a different break-down process than human waste and can remain unchanged for longer periods of time.

So, it may have been nice to day dream of fewer trips to the trash can with Fluffy’s litter, but scooping will remain the price we have to pay to enjoy the company of our furry felines.

When it Comes to Plumbing
& Septic System Maintenance:
No Problems. Just Solutions!

Contact Information

When it Comes to Plumbing & Septic System Maintenance: No Problems. Just Solutions!

Contact Information

When it Comes to Plumbing
& Septic System Maintenance:
No Problems. Just Solutions!