Do Coffee Grounds Block Drains?

You’ve probably heard the myth that coffee grounds are fine to put down your drain, or even good for it. They’re not.

Some people even reckon the grounds help clear the drain or fix a bad smell. The opposite is true.

Coffee grounds clump together, and those clumps cause real trouble over time. Do coffee grounds block drains? Absolutely, they do.

Coffee Grounds Block Drains

Pouring coffee grounds down the drain is one of the most common causes of blockages, mainly because so many people still believe the myths about them. Grounds down the sink are never a good idea. Do it often enough and you’ll end up calling a plumber to fix your clogged sink.

Most people know grease, oil, dairy, starchy foods and fibrous items like eggshells can all build up and cause a drain blockage. Hardly anyone stops to ask whether coffee grounds belong down there, though. The old myths about them being good for drains are everywhere.

Blocked Drains

Nobody wants a blocked drain. But if that’s where you’ve landed, whether it’s grease in your drain, coffee grounds or anything else, your best move is a plumber who knows what they’re doing.

Slow Drainage and Backing Up

Coffee grounds don’t always block a drain outright. Often they just slow the drainage down. But leave a slow drain long enough and it will usually end up fully blocked.

Smells

Even if you like the smell of coffee grounds, you won’t enjoy what a blocked drain gives off. Grounds in a blockage absorb the smells of everything else that’s gone down the sink. They hold on to them, too.

If there’s a strange smell coming from your drain, it can be a sign of bigger problems, so it’s worth getting the drains checked by a professional.

You Are Wasting Coffee Grounds

Coffee grounds can do a lot of good in the garden. On their own they’re often too acidic for plant life. Mixed with other garden waste as compost, though, they’re great, and you’ve got no reason to tip them down the drain or into the bin. Even if you haven’t got much of a garden, consider giving your grounds to someone who can put them to good use.

Think Your Drain is Blocked with Coffee?

Having trouble with your sinks, drains or pipes? That’s what we do. We’ve got the experience and the gear to find what’s wrong and fix it. Our drain inspection cameras show us the problem quickly, so we can get straight to clearing the blockage.

Call us on 1300 303 247 or fill in our online contact form, and we’ll get your drains running freely again.