What are common causes of kitchen sink clogs?

Kitchen sink clogs are often caused by vegetable peels, leftovers, grease, coffee grounds, and garbage—even when using a garbage disposal. Avoid putting these items down the drain to prevent buildup and blockages.

What items should not be flushed down the toilet?

You should avoid flushing flushable wipes, ultra-thick quilted toilet paper, feminine products, condoms, medications, and paper towels. These items can easily cause clogs and damage your plumbing system.

How can I prevent clogged drains at home?

Prevent clogged drains by keeping food scraps, grease, and non-flushable items out of your drains. Regularly cleaning strainers and running hot water through your pipes can also help maintain proper drainage.

What should I do if my drain is already clogged?

If your drain is already slow or completely backed up, contact a professional drain specialist. They can inspect the problem and provide a custom solution to restore your drain’s proper flow.

Common Causes of Drain Clogs and Tips to Keep Your Drains Clear

Household drains are often overlooked until a clog disrupts your daily routine. From grease and coffee grounds in the kitchen to wipes and paper towels in the bathroom, knowing what causes drain blockages can help you avoid costly plumbing repairs. Learn how to keep your drains clear—and what to do when they’re not.

Kitchen Sink No-No’s (Even With A Disposal)

Vegetable Peels
Leftovers
Grease
Coffee Grounds
Garbage

Toilet Clog Causes

Flushable Wipes – Sounds nice on a label, but we find them causing blockages all the time.
Ultra Thick Quilted Toilet Paper – or specifically any toilet paper whose name rhymes with “Farmin”
Feminine Products
Condoms
Medications
Paper Towels

What Else Can Homeowners Do?

Take note of these items and as a result, you’ll save yourself hassle and money by preventing a clog in these ever-critical drains in your home.

If it’s too late to prevent and you’re already fighting frustratingly slow or completely backed up drains, give us a call and one of our Class-Act Drain Specialists can get to work for you and give you a custom quote to get those drains flowing like it’s 1985 (or however old your home is) all over again.

Meet the Author

Kelton Balka

Owner

Meet Kelton Balka, owner of Tennessee Standard Plumbing, with 13+ years transforming plumbing challenges into solutions. Your trusted plumbing partner.