A clogged drain can be much more than a simple inconvenience that you can fix with a plunger. Clogged drains might cause internal flooding or sewage backups because even a toilet has a drain, as do septic and sewer systems. Whether the drain leads to a sink, a toilet, or a sewage line, it's important to keep it free of obstructions and debris. Here are three things that you should never put into a drain.

1. Paper Towels, Baby Wipes, and Tampons

Toilet paper can be flushed because it's made to fall apart when it's wet. Paper towels aren't designed the same way and can clog a toilet drain. Baby wipes, which are even less flushable than paper towels, can also be used. If you flush paper towels, baby wipes, or tampons, you might need more frequent cleaning to prevent drain clogs. According to Rael, roughly 2.5 million tampons are flushed each year. If you've noticed issues with your drains after flushing these items, please make sure to contact a professional plumbing company.

2. Grease, Oil, and Fat

Hot grease, oil, and fat might seem ideal for pouring down a drain — especially if it leads to a garbage disposal. Despite being in liquid form, the hot materials cool quickly, can coat the sides of the drain, and catch other items that go down the drain. Over time, the residue and any organic material it might have caught can partly or fully clog the drain. Snaking the drain might open it up, but the residue will likely remain in place. An experienced plumber can help clean out the residue and restore the full draining capability.

3. Coffee Grounds or Eggshells

You might like a hot cup or two of coffee and some eggs for breakfast. After the coffee is brewed and the eggs are cooked, it can be very tempting to wash the coffee grounds into the sink and down the drain. If the drain leads to a garbage disposal, you might be extra tempted to put eggshells in the drain for the disposal to process. Coffee grounds and eggshells don't break down when wet and are more likely to build up inside and trigger repeated drain clogs until you clean them out.

If you have a clogged drain or it's just time to maintain your drains with a good cleaning, you can call or visit us at Bob Frank Sewer & Drain Cleaning to learn more about our drain-cleaning service and schedule a time to clean your drains.