Is it advisable to pour boiling water down the sink?

On many occasions, whether in a hurry or simply because it seems quicker, we end up throwing a large quantity of food or liquid down the drain. Deep down we know he can clog pipes or clog pipes, but we see that as a stretch. Until it actually happens. And if that happens, what should you do? Should I pour hot water down the drain to clear the clog? In today’s post, we’ll tell you if it’s more advisable to add hot water or if there are other more appropriate methods.

Hot water: yes or no?

In fact, it can help clear blockages, but with nuance. First of all you have to take into account that the temperature does not reach 100 degrees, as well as the type of pipe you have, because the thinner and cheaper it is, the lower the resistance. For example, plastic and stainless steel are two fairly common materials that are not heat resistant and can warp and break when exposed to high temperatures.

Likewise, we are not only talking about possible physical damage to objects, but also to ourselves, because hot water is known to be quite dangerous to handle and can cause burns on the skin. Finally, if we decide to use it, we must make sure that we have a suitable container in which to pour it, being careful not to get too close to the sink when pouring the water, since the steam is dangerous is when inhaled in excessive amounts.

Other alternatives

Considering the possible consequences of pouring boiling water, other solutions will not hurt either. The correct and less aggressive way would be to use a specially formulated chemical or a solution of baking soda, sodium and vinegar.

Second, a mechanical plunger or a spring-loaded spiral plunger can be used to manually clear clogs. It may be more complex, but it’s probably the most ideal in order to avoid exposing the sink to chemicals or high temperatures.

If none of these work, you should call a professional to use specialized unclog tools and techniques.

How to Avoid: Don’t use the trash can

In fact, this whole process could be avoided if we were aware that throwing things away sooner or later has real consequences. However, there are products that must not be disposed of in this way under any circumstances.

  • coffee grounds. Contrary to popular belief, they do not eliminate accumulated fat, but create obstacles.
  • Expired medication. Take them to the nearest pharmacy as their chemical ingredients seriously pollute the environment.
  • grains of rice. They eventually clump together as the rice absorbs the water.
  • any solid by itself and less if it is inorganic, because anything without water or liquid causes blockages.
  • Cooking oil, hair, eggshells, cigarette butts, fruit glue…