Can Coffee Grounds Go Down The Sink

Being a homeowner can be very time-consuming. Often we are in a rush to get things done around the home. Additionally, homeowners are typically in a hurry to get up and get their day started quickly. As homeowners rush, they can often forget some basic rules of home maintenance and cleaning. For example, homeowners might place their dishes in the sink to be cleaned later. Also, everything gets rinsed down the sink as a matter of convenience. However, it is not good to put certain products down your sink as it could lead to clogged plumbing. Can coffee grounds go down the sink? Not a good idea. Coffee grounds can expand and stick to your plumbing.

Let’s take a look below at the reasons why this isn’t a good idea.

What Can I Do With My Coffee Grounds

Believe it or not, there are a variety of ways that you can use the coffee grounds that won’t require you to pour coffee grounds down your sink. Some homeowners like to grind their coffee beans and make the ground coffee at home. Now that we understand it is not a good idea to put coffee grounds down the drain, let’s take a look at some great alternative uses for our coffee grounds.

• Food odor absorption – place a small open container of coffee grounds into your fridge. They will absorb any foul odors in the fridge.
• Exfoliant – coffee grounds can be rubbed on your skin to help remove mechanical grease or fluids. You can also mix coffee grounds with coconut oil and create a mixture to remove dead skin cells.
• Dye – use the grounds and turn a white shirt into something more golden, or even turn your everyday white paper into old-fashioned-looking stationery.
• Candles – melted wax mixed with coffee grounds and a candlewick can make a great smelling candle.
• Spa Day – coffee grounds mixed with cocoa powder, milk, and honey can be used as a facial treatment. You can also use a handful of grounds to rinse through your hair to remove buildup and residue from various hair products.

What Are Some Other Items I Should Not Put Down My Sink Drain

When it comes to basic kitchen sink drain maintenance some items should never go down your sink. Although a homeowner’s schedule can get very hectic and often forgetful, it is very important not to put coffee grounds down the sink or any of these items down your drain or sink. They will cause some major backups and clogging.

• Non-Food – items such as cigarette butts, metals, wood, glass, or even sponges should not be rinsed down the sink drain.
• Starch – any food that contains starch can expand. You should avoid rinsing pasta, rice, potatoes, and even potato peels.
• Grease – anything that contains oils and fats or oils and fats that have cooked off a food source does not go down the sink. Grease will stick to the walls of your pipes and begin trapping debris and other food waste. This will eventually cause a major clog in your pipes.
• Any fibrous food – items like banana peels, fish skin, celery, or eggshells cannot break down enough to flow safely through a sink drain pipe.

How Can I Prevent A Sink Clog

Preventing clogs in your sinks can be a fairly easy task. It is about paying attention to what you should not pour down the sink. Below is a list of items that you can safely pour down your sink. They might also assist with keeping the pipes clear of buildup.

• Drain cleaners – items sold at your local hardware or grocery store. Their main purpose is to break up a clog and allow for water to flow freely again.
• Alcohol – you may pour alcohol down the sink in small amounts. Never pour full bottles all at once.
• Milk – if you have sour milk, you will want to pour it down the sink. This isn’t environmentally friendly, but you can pour small quantities of milk.
• Coke – due to coke having a high phosphoric acid content, it can help eat grease and other items that are clogging your sink.
• Ammonia – can clean pipes and kill bacteria. Not recommended without first diluting with a lot of water. Never pour straight ammonia down the sink.

How Much Does It Cost

Getting your pipes cleared out can be fairly expensive if you aren’t prepared for the cost. The national average for labor and service calls to unclog your pipes is $250. Master plumbers’ rates can run between $45 and $200 per hour. Make sure that you hire a reputable professional before you attempt to unclog a pipe and cause more damage to your plumbing system.

Other Recommended Maintenance

Now that you have a better understanding of what you can and cannot put down the sink drain, take a look at what will keep your sink from clogging. It is always a good idea for a homeowner to know what works effectively and what is environmentally friendly. Many people do not realize how effective a household product like salt can be in unclogging or preventing a clogged sink. Read up on what salt can do by pouring it down your drain.

Next, you should get to know more about unclogging items in your home. Additionally, any appliance that utilizes water has the potential of getting clogged. If you have a dishwasher in your home, there is a potential for the dishwasher drain line to get clogged. Make sure that you take the time to understand how to fix this issue.

Lastly, your sink in the kitchen can often be connected to garbage disposal. Homeowners often believe that everything and anything should be rinsed down the garbage disposal. As you read above that is not necessarily the case. Also, keep in mind that a garbage disposal can also get clogged if not properly maintained. Be sure to read up even further on what you should do if your garbage disposal gets clogged.

When Do I Call A Professional

Anytime you are dealing with a plumbing situation, you might want to call a master plumber. They have the expertise to assist you with any clogs in your pipes without causing further damage. Hiring a professional master plumber to conduct plumbing services and handle your clogged kitchen drain or any clogged drain due to coffee grounds being poured down the sink, is a great idea. If you aren’t sure who to call, reach out to your local home inspection team. They can inspect your plumbing and other systems in your home, as well as refer you to a reputable local master plumber.

Conclusion

Always remember that proper maintenance on your major systems of the home is vital to keeping everything working properly. As a homeowner, you will want to keep your pipes free and clear of any debris and waste buildup. As you read above, simple maintenance can go a very long way in ensuring your ability to prevent disaster. If you ever forget how to maintain or when to maintain, it is a great idea to call on your local home inspection team. They can come out and inspect the home and offer up any recommended repairs. Call on Colorado Inspection Team can check your plumbing during a home inspection in Castle Rock, CO.