Tiny food shreds often get inside the sink while you are cleaning dishes. But, Can you put coffee grounds down the sink?
Well, the coffee ground is not like other food scraps. Unlike most foods, coffee grounds bunch together in water rather than going down. The coffee grounds swell up in the water before bundling up together. With time, the coffee grounds, along with other fatty parts, stop the drains from working. So it is usually better to put the used coffee grounds in the trash can. Still, let us see, is it ok to put coffee grounds down the sink?
Can You Put Coffee Grounds Down the Sink?
The short and simple answer is, no! You should never try it. Resist the urge to put coffee grounds down the drain/sink. This will only give you some serious clogs on your hands.
Let’s look at the specific issues it causes and what you can do if you’ve already committed the sin.
Why Should You Stop Putting Coffee Grounds Into The Sink?
There are many reasons to avoid putting coffee grounds down in the sink. You may think it is the easiest way to dump. Since it is small particles, it does not hamper the septic system as well. But, what about from the sink to the drainage system? It may cause the below problems if you dump them daily into the sink.
Pipe Blockage
With the help of a fat portion of your food, any part of your plumbing may clog up. Fatty particles consolidate inside the pipe. Then, it grabs food particles that we pass through the sink. Coffee ground is one of them which easily engages with the fat layers. Gradually, this layer enlarges and clogs the regular water flow. The pipe blockage would make the water flow and the drainage slow as well. Then also, water may flow back up into the sink.
Septic System Failure
Can you put the coffee grounds down in the sink? If you do that, then the slow drainage of water may lead to the fall of the septic system. Besides, coffee grounds may add layers inside the septic tank. So, it will hamper the whole septic system. As a result, you need to clean up every month or more frequently. The backflow of foul water would hurt the water system as well.
Slow Drainage System
After the sink, you may also wonder can coffee grounds go down the drain. Well, slow drainage is a perfect sign of pre-clogged drainage. Pouring coffee grounds will slow the drainage system. In the long run, it will clog up. And, you would have to wait every time for the water to drain while using the sink.
Foul Smell
There is a saying of old wives’ that coffee grounds make the sink smell nice. But you may ignore this saying. After you pour the coffee grounds into the sink, the residue clogs the pipes and later the drains. And when the tubes get blocked, water and wastage also gather within the water pipes. This buildup of filthy water and wastage makes foul smells. The smell can spread into the whole house and may cause pain to the residents of the home.
Pipe Leakages
You may wonder, can coffee grounds go down the drain? Well, if it does, then the coffee ground will still build up together in the pipe. Then, it may clog the sink and cause the water pipe to leak, especially if you let it happen for a long time. At the outset, the water pipe will, in time, become weak and have cracks in them. So, it will yield to the water pressure and burst in the end.
House Structure Damages
After you pour coffee ground into the sink, it blocks the drain, and drains blockage ruins the plumbing. So, in most cases, homes suffer some damage as the backflow of water from the drain seeps into the support. The water that comes out from the pipe leakage also damages the house. The walls will get dumpy around the leakage. In the end, if you do not handle the issue in time, it can cost you a lot.
Attracts Mold And Bugs
Molds love moist walls and grow fast in them. If your house has clogged pipes and leakage, then it must proceed with dampness. Insects love damp areas as well. But the pests and mold carry health risks and could also damage your home if you do not deal with them soon.
Health Risks
Clogged drains can cause terrible effects on your health and that of your loved ones. For starters, it aids bacteria growth which causes diseases. The drain blockage stops water from flowing, hence the backlog. This water has bacteria in it, and the more you damp in the sink, the more you are at risk.
The bacteria start living in the water and air around your home. And makes the situation worsen if one of the residents has allergies. The polluted water and air have horrible effects on someone with skin or asthma issues.
The filthy water also becomes a threat to your health once it stays stagnant in the pipes. In the end, putting things like ground coffee in the sink will bring you more harm than well-being.
Alternative Ways To Deal With Used Coffee Grounds
Collect the coffee grounds for further uses, rather than through those into the sink. It will recycle the coffee grounds in more effective ways. You may follow my suggestions to give it a try.
- Use coffee grounds in your garden. It is a source of great nutrients for plants
- Coffee grounds help to tenderize meats
- Natural odors in your home
- It works as a good repellent for insects and pests
- Use as an exfoliating to skin and facial mask. It can nourish your hair as well
- It is a natural cleaning scrub to clean cookware or grill
- Best to clean fireplaces and so many purposes
Final Words
If you ask whether you can put coffee grounds down the sink or not, then the answer is not to put them there. If you put coffee grounds into the sink, it may cause a lot of trouble for you as well. Since you are at the end of this article, you know the number of damages.
It is beyond the imagination that these small things can cost us a lot in the outcome. It is better to use ground coffee for other reasons. For example, you can use coffee grounds for gardening or exfoliating. And by doing that, you can save a lot of time and cost that you would lose otherwise.
Enjoy Your Coffee!