Most homeowners assume that if it goes down the drain and disappears, it’s gone forever. Unfortunately, out of sight does not mean out of mind.
The reality is that many of the most stubborn clogs we clear at Plumber 007 are caused by everyday items that seem harmless but wreak havoc on your plumbing system. Your garbage disposal is not a trash can, and your pipes are not designed to swallow everything.
To keep your Paramount home’s plumbing flowing smoothly, make sure these three “Drain Enemies” never make it past the sink stopper.
1. Grease, Fats, and Cooking Oils (The “Silent Killer”)
This is the number one cause of kitchen sink backups. When you pour hot bacon grease or cooking oil down the sink, it flows easily because it is liquid. But the moment it hits the cool pipes deep in your walls or under the slab, it solidifies into a waxy, sticky block.
Over time, this fat catches other debris, narrowing the pipe diameter until water can no longer pass through—much like a clogged artery.
The Fix: Never pour oil down the sink. Pour it into an old jar or coffee can, let it freeze or harden, and throw it in the trash.
2. Coffee Grounds
There is a common myth that coffee grounds are abrasive and help “scrub” the inside of your pipes. This is false.
In reality, wet coffee grounds act like heavy, wet sand. They do not dissolve in water. Instead, they settle in the U-bends (traps) of your plumbing and create a dense, sludge-like paste that is incredibly difficult to push through.
The Fix: Toss your grounds in the trash or, even better, use them in your garden compost—plants love them, but your pipes hate them.
3. “Flushable” Wipes
This is the most controversial item on the list. Many brands market wet wipes as “flushable,” but ask any plumber in Paramount, and they will tell you otherwise.
Unlike toilet paper, which is designed to disintegrate in water within seconds, wet wipes are made with synthetic fibers that stay intact. They snag on rough spots in older pipes or get caught on tree roots in the main sewer line, creating massive blockages that often require professional equipment to remove.
The Fix: If it isn’t toilet paper or human waste, it belongs in the bin, not the bowl.
Already Stuck with a Slow Drain?
If you have been guilty of flushing these items and are now noticing slow drainage or gurgling sounds, chemical drain cleaners usually won’t be enough to dissolve the buildup.
You need a professional reset. At Plumber 007, we use professional-grade snaking and hydro-jetting tools to cut through grease and remove obstructions without damaging your pipes.
Schedule your Drain Cleaning service today or call us at +1 562-242-2124. We’ll get things flowing again.