Why it matters here
Everything you put down a drain in Oshawa travels through your pipes, then the city sewer, then to a regional treatment plant on the lake. Fats, wipes and some chemicals cause trouble at every step. In your own house they cause clogs and backups. In the city sewer they form large fatbergs that cost money to remove. The Region of Durham runs public campaigns about this for good reason.
Step by step
- Cool grease in a can. Pour cooking fat and oil into a container, let it harden, then put it in the organics bin or garbage, following Durham's current rules.
- Scrape plates. Food scraps go in the green bin, not down the sink, even with a disposal.
- Keep a bin in the bathroom. Wipes, cotton swabs, floss, hair and hygiene products go there.
- Flush only the three P's. Pee, poo and toilet paper. Wipes labelled flushable still cause blockages.
- Take chemicals to depot. Paint, solvents and medications go to a household hazardous waste depot or pharmacy return program.
A sink strainer costs very little and stops more clogs than any product you can pour down a drain.
Mistakes to avoid
- Rinsing grease down with hot water. It cools and sets further down the pipe.
- Flushing cat litter, which clumps and sets in the trap.
- Pouring coffee grounds, eggshells, rice or pasta into the sink.
- Rinsing paint brushes in the laundry tub.
- Dumping medications into the toilet.
When to call a plumber
If a drain slows, call before it stops completely. Early cleaning is easier and less messy. If a grease or wipe clog has reached the main line, main sewer line cleaning clears the whole run. Basements that have taken water from the floor drain should look at backwater valve installation. And before reaching for a bottle from the hardware store, read why we avoid chemical drain cleaners.