Most of us don’t give our drains much thought. They sit quietly in the background, doing their job day in and day out, whisking water away without complaint. Until one day… they don’t. The sink drains slowly, the shower turns into a paddling pool, and a smell appears that no scented candle can fix.

More often than not, the cause isn’t mysterious plumbing failure – it’s everyday products being sent down the drain that were never meant to be there.

What seems harmless in the moment can quietly build up inside your pipes, sticking to the walls, combining with other debris, and eventually creating blockages that are expensive, inconvenient, and entirely avoidable. Let’s take a look at the most common culprits and why your drains would really prefer you kept them out of the equation.

Cooking Oil and Grease: The Silent Pipe Killer

Cooking oil and grease are arguably public enemy number one when it comes to blocked drains. While hot oil pours down the sink smoothly, it doesn’t stay that way for long. As it cools, it solidifies and clings to the inside of your pipes like glue.

Over time, this greasy coating narrows the pipe, trapping food particles, soap residue, and anything else passing through. Eventually, you’re left with a stubborn blockage – or worse, a full-blown “fatberg” situation.

The safest approach is simple: let grease cool, pour it into a container (an old jar works perfectly), and dispose of it in the bin. Some councils even offer recycling options for cooking oil, which is even better.

Coffee Grounds: Small but Surprisingly Dangerous

Coffee grounds are often mistaken for something harmless because they’re small and organic. Unfortunately, they’re also excellent at clumping together. When washed down the sink, coffee grounds settle in bends and traps, forming dense masses that restrict water flow.

They don’t break down easily, and once combined with grease or soap residue, they become a prime cause of kitchen sink blockages. If you love your coffee (and who doesn’t?), the best place for used grounds is in the compost bin or garden soil — not your pipes.

Medications: Bad for Drains, Worse for the Environment

Flushing unused or expired medications down the toilet might feel like a quick solution, but it creates serious problems beyond your plumbing. Pharmaceutical substances can contaminate water supplies and harm aquatic life, even after wastewater treatment.

From a drainage perspective, packaging remnants and partially dissolved tablets can also contribute to blockages over time.

Most pharmacies offer medication take-back schemes or can advise on safe disposal. It’s a small extra step that protects both your pipes and the environment.

Paper Towels and Tissues: Not Toilet Paper’s Cousins

It’s an easy mistake to make. Paper towels and tissues look similar to toilet paper, so surely they behave the same way in water? Unfortunately not.

Toilet paper is specifically designed to break down quickly when flushed. Paper towels and tissues are made to stay strong when wet – which is exactly why they’re so good at blocking pipes. Once flushed, they tend to lodge themselves in bends, snagging other debris and creating blockages surprisingly fast.

No matter how tempting it is, these items always belong in the bin.

Chemical Drain Cleaners: The False Fix

It might sound strange, but one of the worst things you can pour down your drain in the name of “cleaning” it is a chemical drain cleaner.

While these products can sometimes shift minor blockages, they’re harsh on your pipes, especially older plumbing. Repeated use can weaken pipe walls, cause corrosion, and even lead to leaks or bursts further down the line. They’re also harmful to the environment and dangerous if misused.

For minor maintenance, natural solutions like baking soda and vinegar can help. For persistent problems, professional methods like high-pressure water jetting are far safer and far more effective.

Paint, Solvents, and DIY Chemicals

Paint, paint thinners, solvents, and similar DIY chemicals should never go down your drains. These substances contain toxins that can damage pipe materials and contaminate local water systems.

Even small amounts can cause long-term harm, and once they enter the drainage system, they’re extremely difficult to remove safely.

Local waste management centres usually provide designated disposal options for hazardous materials. It’s always worth checking before pouring anything questionable down the sink.

Hair and Personal Care Products

Hair might seem unavoidable – especially in bathrooms – but it’s one of the most common causes of slow drains and blockages. Hair tangles easily, creating net-like clumps that trap soap scum and debris inside pipes.

Thick creams, exfoliants, and personal care products can add to the problem, sticking to pipe walls and accelerating build-up.

Using drain covers in showers and sinks, and cleaning them regularly, is one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect your drains long-term.

A Little Care Goes a Long Way

Most drain problems don’t happen overnight. They build slowly, quietly, and out of sight – until suddenly they demand your attention at the worst possible time.

By being mindful of what goes down your drains, you’re not just avoiding blockages. You’re extending the life of your plumbing system, reducing the risk of emergency call-outs, and helping protect the environment at the same time.

And if you do notice slow drainage, bad smells, or recurring blockages? That’s your sign to act early.

At Rapid Drainage, we specialise in identifying and resolving drainage issues before they become major problems. Whether it’s a simple blockage or something deeper in the system, our team is here to help keep everything flowing as it should.

Call 020 3488 6280
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