How to Handle the Negative Effects of Putting Metamucil Down Your Drain
Experts say to use caution when putting things in the sink. Paints and cleaning products can contain hazardous chemicals that damage the water and drain system. Hard vegetable matter, grains, eggshells, and coffee grounds can clog your pipes and even damage your garbage disposal. Medications that are put down the drain enter the water supply, and the trace amounts of drugs can’t be boiled out. As both a medication and a grain, Metamucil doesn’t belong in the sink.
How Proper Disposal of Medication Protects your Plumbing
Metamucil Becomes a Thick Brown Gel in Your Pipes
Fiber supplements like Metamucil are intended to be mixed with water, stirred vigorously, and then consumed immediately. If you leave Metamucil and water in a cup for a while, you’ll end up with what has been called a “hard jello.” This unappealing rubbery substance looks somewhat like another brown substance that belongs in the toilet, not the sink.
Even worse than the disgusting appearance is the havoc that Metamucil wreaks on your plumbing. It will likely form an impenetrable clog that prevents your sink from draining at all.
Don’t Use Chemical Drain Cleaners to Clear out a Metamucil Clog
Chemical drain cleaners contain toxic chemicals and can cause long-term damage to your pipes. Even if you decide you’d risk the damage to have a quick fix, chemical cleaners won’t dissolve Metamucil. If you try a liquid cleaner, you’ll be left with toxic chemicals in a backed-up sink, making it even more difficult to dislodge the clog. If you’re unable to use your drain at all, we recommend not using these chemical substances to clean your drain.
Do-It-Yourself Tips
There are many chemical-free ways to try to clear a drain yourself, including:
- Plunger
- Baking soda and vinegar
- Hot water
Unfortunately, while these methods are worth trying for simple clogs, they won’t dislodge a solid Metamucil clog.
The simplest do-it-yourself fix is to dismantle your pipes. Put a large bucket under the clogged sink, then open up the P-trap pipe. If you’re lucky, the brown goo will be caught in the P-trap or the pipe directly adjacent. Cleaning the P-trap is a messy job, and you might have to work to pry out the thick mass lodged inside. In the worst case, the clog may have traveled into the pipes in your wall where you can’t reach them.
Call a Professional
Cleaning out water, hair, and brown gel from a pipe does not make for a fun afternoon. If you’re at all squeamish, it might be worth hiring a plumber to take care of the problem before you get your hands dirty.
Even if you’re willing to try to fix the problem yourself, you might not be able to find the clog, in which case you’ll end up calling for help anyway. Hiring a professional right away can save you time and trouble, while giving you peace of mind in knowing the job has been done right.
Learn more how proper disposal of medication protects your plumbing. Call Plumb Works today. We’re prepared to clean out any clog or handle any other plumbing mishap in the Atlanta, GA area. In addition to drain cleaning, our plumbers are dedicated to your home's water supply safety. Learn more about our whole house water filters. Call (404) 800-5038.
