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Old 18-07-2016, 17:26   #1
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Risk of Clogging Sink Drain?

Just back from a short trip with someone who didn't want anything except dishwater to go down the sink drain. His argument was that anything else - the specific item in question was coffee grounds - would in the long term clog the pipes.

This is the first time I've heard this - has anyone experienced this problem?
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Old 18-07-2016, 17:34   #2
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Re: Risk of Clogging Sink Drain?

When the sink drain gets clogged you go over the side and poke it. Sometimes take the hose off and back flush it. Happens every so often.
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Old 18-07-2016, 17:40   #3
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Re: Risk of Clogging Sink Drain?

So, can happen but not a serious problem. Thanks; I can live with that.
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Old 18-07-2016, 17:57   #4
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Re: Risk of Clogging Sink Drain?

Or you put a plunger on the drain and give it a couple of hard squirts to knock everything loose. When they clog, it's usually just the stuff he IS putting down the drain - greasy water that builds up on the wall and entraps hair and other tiny stuff, and soap scum. The coffee grounds will pass right through a clean drain; it has to be nearly clogged for them to lodge on the walls.
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Old 18-07-2016, 18:38   #5
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Re: Risk of Clogging Sink Drain?

I have yet to clog our 1" drain hose with coffee grounds. And even if I did a quick plunge with the palm of my hand would most likely clear it.


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Old 18-07-2016, 18:48   #6
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Re: Risk of Clogging Sink Drain?

Back when I was a chef, i had a plumber tell me to always put coffee grounds down the drain. Supposedly they will not gum up with the grease and other crud. So they will work kind of like sand paper to help remove any buildup in the pipes.
I don't know how true it is but he believed it.
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Old 18-07-2016, 18:49   #7
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Re: Risk of Clogging Sink Drain?

Our drain clogs often, with just the slightest bit of food, or especially fat. Since it is a double sink, plunging requires holding something to cover one drain while plunging the other....which is a PITA. I've considered installing a grey water tank and pump but I fear that may be worse.

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Old 18-07-2016, 18:55   #8
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Re: Risk of Clogging Sink Drain?

Quote:
Originally Posted by AnglaisInHull View Post
Just back from a short trip with someone who didn't want anything except dishwater to go down the sink drain. His argument was that anything else - the specific item in question was coffee grounds - would in the long term clog the pipes.

This is the first time I've heard this - has anyone experienced this problem?
It is a risk factor. Your funeral. I would not and I would question the sense of anyone putting anything down a drain without a dispose-all on it. But it all depends on the pipe layout. Kinna like cigarettes and cancer; maybe a problem, maybe not. You take your chances.

4 Everyday Things That Are Clogging Your Drain
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Old 18-07-2016, 19:30   #9
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Re: Risk of Clogging Sink Drain?

Once a week when it can stand at least overnight, close the seacock and put an ounce or two of Raritan C.P. down the sink drain...fill the drain with water. That's all you need to do to keep your sink drains clean and sweet smelling....and your showers sumps.

Raritan only markets C.P as a toilet bowl cleaner, but it's also the best sump and drain cleaner on the planet IMO. C.P. Is a bio-enzymatic cleaning product that not only destroys odor on contact, but the enzymes in it "eat" hair. soap scum, galley grease and food bits. It's part of the product line--and MIO the best product in that line--that my own company developed and sold to Raritan in 1999. Btw, it's also an outstanding toilet bowl cleaner.
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Old 18-07-2016, 19:36   #10
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Re: Risk of Clogging Sink Drain?

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[...] an ounce or two of Raritan C.P. down the sink drain...
Thanks for the tip!
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Old 18-07-2016, 23:10   #11
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Re: Risk of Clogging Sink Drain?

Get yerself one of these:

PlumbCraft Mini Bellows Plunger-7504800H - The Home Depot

Makes quick work of a clogged
sink.
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Old 18-07-2016, 23:51   #12
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Re: Risk of Clogging Sink Drain?

A lot of this is going to depend on how many low spots there are in the hose going overboard, how many kinks and turns it makes.

If it is a straight shot overboard, then you're going to be way less likely to have an issue, but if there is anywhere for what you pour down the drain to settle, really high probability you are going to have an issue.

Personally on my boat even though it is a straight shot I still will pour grease into a container and throw it away rather than trying to wash it down the drain. When I wash dishes if there is a lot of grease on them I will warm some water on the stove and pour it down the drain after I have finished simply to heat and remove any grease that didn't make it overboard before it has a chance to become an issue.
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Old 19-07-2016, 05:11   #13
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Re: Risk of Clogging Sink Drain?

Quote:
Originally Posted by thinwater View Post
But it all depends on the pipe layout.
This is the key. If your drain goes pretty much straight down to a through-hull (which is the best way to plumb it, if you can) then the odds of a clog are extremely slim. If it snakes all around, and has low spots where gunk can collect, then the odds go up dramatically.
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Old 19-07-2016, 09:03   #14
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Re: Risk of Clogging Sink Drain?

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Originally Posted by denverd0n View Post
This is the key. If your drain goes pretty much straight down to a through-hull (which is the best way to plumb it, if you can) then the odds of a clog are extremely slim. If it snakes all around, and has low spots where gunk can collect, then the odds go up dramatically.
I beg to differ. Our plumbing is pretty straight forward -- from the sinks to a T to combine them, another Y lets in the dishwasher output, and then straight down to the through-hull.

The problem is that the waterline is only a couple of inches below the bottom of the sink. If there is anything lighter than water (oil/fat? some food) then it sits at the top of the drain hose and eventually fills the bottom of the sink. It isn't a "clog" in the traditional sense -- a blockage.

When underway the venturi effect reduces the static pressure in the hose and empties the sink, but when anchored it is a different story.
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Old 19-07-2016, 09:11   #15
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Re: Risk of Clogging Sink Drain?

in the years 1990 until now i have yet to clog a drain. stuff happens and things like coffee grounds and the full pot under, fall. when my sink fails to drain well. i remove the cat hair and restart--isnt hard and isnt anything ye wouldnt do in a house on land.
if i smell stinkwater, i pour vinegar down and flush with water.
sometimes i even pour down some lovely over strong smelling mexisoap liquid---wow.. makes entire b oat smell like rosies or lavender....just make sure whatever you add doesnt harm metal, as your thru hull fitting is at stake here.

pos of my boat lightened her up so very much the galley thru hull is above water now. oops....makes a funny sound when there is a lil chop.
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