Sinks remain a pivotal component in every home. Whether it’s brushing your teeth, washing your hands, or doing the dishes, the sink is always there to help. It’s that one appliance that we can’t seem to live without.
But what about when it comes to, shall we say, more delicate matters? Can poop go down the sink? Well, going number two in the sink might raise many moral and hygienic questions, but believe me, if you have the little ones or pets in your home, you’ve to be ready to deal with anything, which covers cleaning up poop in the sink as well.
So, can poop go down the sink? Well, the answer looks pretty obvious, but we wanted to also discover the science behind it. Let’s see what we discovered!
Can Poop Go Down the Sink?
That’s definitely a No. Poop should not go down the sink under any circumstance. The main reason is that sinks are not designed to handle that kind of waste. The moment you flush your poop down the sink, it will start to cause problems. So, you’d rather avoid putting poop in the sink than deal with the mess it can cause.
Sinks are undoubtedly a boon in a variety of home cleaning chores. It’s where you stand whenever you’re cleaning something, be it your hands, face, or dishes. And thankfully, it works well to get rid of the wastewater and leaves your things clean.
Even so, that doesn’t make your sink garbage disposal. Sinks are not designed to take care of solid waste, including poop. When you flush poop down the sink, expect things to go awry quickly.
So, whether at a party and using the sink is the only option, or maybe your regular one is out of order, resist the urge to poop in the sink. Doing so will only lead to a smelly, dirty mess that you’ll have to clean up eventually.
Is It Okay To Poop in the Sink?
No, it isn’t okay to poop in the sink, no matter how small or unlikely to cause issues it seems. Pooping in the sink not only sounds gross but is also unhygienic and can cause a lot of problems. So, never even think of using your sink for poop – not even for your pet’s poop or that of the young member of the family.
Every homeowner needs to know that the secret to getting the most out of anything is to use it for its intended purpose. Sinks are no different. They help with specific chores like washing your hands and cleaning dishes. Anything outside that, including poop, is a no-no and can compromise the functionality of the sink.
Sure, the sink still connects to the main sewer line. Even so, that doesn’t mean it can handle everything that needs to end up there. The sink components are too delicate and small to manage any solid waste. So, if you were wondering whether you can use your sink for self-relief, that’s a resounding No!
But even besides the fact that a sink’s anatomy can’t support poop, let’s get a bit more realistic; poop is smelly, full of bacteria, and of course, downright gross to touch your sink. I mean, it just doesn’t come in the category of things that you can safely associate with your sink.
What Happens If Poop Goes Down Your Sink Drain?
If poop goes down your sink drain, it can clog the P-trap. The P-trap is a u-shaped pipe that’s located beneath your sink. Its job is to prevent sewer gasses from entering your home through the drain. So, when you flush poop down the sink, there’s a good chance it will get stuck in the P-trap and cause a clog.
Now, we have to admit that dealing with a sink that has clogged from permissible things like soap scum is terrible enough. But when the clog is because of poop, it takes things to a new level of gross.
Not only is it smelly and difficult to deal with, but you also risk spreading germs and bacteria. And as we all know, these two microorganisms are the leading cause of various diseases. So, it’s best to avoid flushing poop down your sink altogether. It will save you a lot of hassle and dirty work.
Can Poop Get Stuck in Your Pipes?
Of course, poop can get stuck in your pipes. Your sink has a P-trap, and that’s the most likely part to stop poop from going down the drain. Also, your sink piping is narrow, and the system lacks enough pressure to push human waste through. So yes, poop can get stuck in your sink pipes.
As much as it connects to the main sewer, just like the toilet, there’s a significant difference between the anatomy of your sink and that of the toilet, and that’s what makes one suitable for poop and not the other.
For one, your toilet is designed in such a way that it can handle solid waste. It has a wide bowl, piping, and enough pressure to push everything down. On the other hand, the sink doesn’t have these features, which is why it can’t handle poop.
In addition to that, the stiffness of the poop can also cause problems. If it’s too stiff, there’s a higher chance of getting stuck in your pipes. So, it’s best to avoid using your sink for anything besides the wastewater it’s designed to handle.
How Do You Dissolve Poop in a Sink?
You can quickly dissolve poop in a sink using hot water, vinegar, and baking soda. The reaction of vinegar and baking soda goes a long way to dissolve poop. Also, the hot water will help to break down the poop and make it easier to dissolve. Leave the solution for 20 minutes and that should do the job.
Accidents can happen, and the topic at hand is no exception. If you do find yourself with poop in your sink, then don’t worry. There are ways to get rid of it. And for the job, you need three necessities;
- Hot water
- Vinegar
- Baking soda
Procedure:
- Pour a generous amount of hot water down the drain to help break down the poop
- Add a cup of baking soda and leave for 5 minutes
- Introduce a cup of vinegar and wait for the fizzing to die down
- After 10 minutes, run more hot water to flush everything out
As you can see, it’s not that difficult to dissolve poop in a sink. All you need is some hot water, vinegar, and baking soda. And within minutes, the poop will be gone. But again, the better if you can avoid having poop end up in your sink!
Will a Poop Clog Eventually Dissolve?
A poop clog will eventually dissolve, but it’s still not worth flushing it down the drain. The reason is that as it dissolves, it will release a foul odor that can permeate your entire house. Plus, bacteria and germs can also spread, leading to diseases.
So, it’s best to avoid flushing poop down the drain altogether. But if you find yourself with a clog, there are several ways to dissolve it. And as already said, some of the items you need for the job are right within your home.
How Do You Get Poop Out of a Sink?
The best way to get the poop out of a sink is to use homemade remedies like vinegar and baking soda to dissolve it. You can also bring in slippery cleaning solutions to help flush it out. But ensure that the product you choose won’t react with the material of your sink or its pipes.
Getting poop out of a sink is possible using some everyday household items. These include; hot water, vinegar, baking soda, and dish soap. The first three should suffice, but if you think they are taking too long, you can add some dish soap to help speed up the process.
Alternatively, you can go for clog removers. These commercial products are designed to dissolve all kinds of clogs, including those caused by poop. But as with any other product, read the label first to see if it’s safe for your particular sink.
Why is My Cat Pooping in the Sink?
Your cat pooping in the sink indicates a problem with the pet or their litter box. Hence, if you notice that your feline is doing their business in the sink instead of their litter box, ensure that you find the root cause.
Cats are lovely pets that cherish cleanliness. So, the mere fact that they are pooping in the sink is enough to show that something isn’t right. Now, in case your feline is using the sink as a toilet, here are some of the possible reasons;
1. Emotional Stress
Cats, like other pets, can get stressed. And this can be due to several reasons. It can be a change in the family dynamic, a move to a new home, or the arrival of a new pet. So, if your cat is pooping in the sink, it could be because they are emotionally stressed.
2. Behavioral Problems
Another reason why your cat may be pooping in the sink is behavioral problems. This is common in cats that were not properly trained when they were young. As a result, they grow into adults with bad habits like pooping outside their litter box.
3. Poor Placement of The Litter Box
The litter box placement can also cause your cat to poop in the sink. If it’s in an area that’s too noisy or busy, your feline may not feel comfortable using it. As such, they will look for a quieter, more secluded place to do their business, like the sink.
4. Bad Habits
Perhaps your cat was using the sink when they were sick. Now, felines are habit animals, so they may continue doing this even after they have recovered.
5. Health Issues
If your cat feels pain using the litter box, they will associate this discomfort with the spot. As a result, they will look for a place that’s more comfortable to do their business, which is often the sink.
6. Litter Box Issues
If the litter box is too small or doesn’t have enough depth, then your cat may not feel comfortable using it. Also, if it’s dirty, then cats, being clean animals, will look for somewhere else to relieve themselves.
How To Stop Cat From Pooping in the Sink?
The only way to stop the cat from pooping in the sink is to find out what’s causing them to do it there. Once you have the root cause, you can adopt the appropriate measure to stop the problem.
Some of the things you can do to stop your cat from pooping in the sink include;
1. Using More Litter Boxes
If your cat is pooping in the sink because of a limited number of litter boxes, you can solve the problem by bringing in more litter boxes. Ideally, you should have one litter box for each cat in your home, plus an extra one.
2. Appropriate Placement
If the problem is with the placement of the litter box, then you need to find a more appropriate spot for it. The location should be calm, quiet, and secluded.
3. Keeping Their Litter Box Clean
Another way to stop your cat from pooping in the sink is to clean their litter box. Scoop the litter box once or twice a day, or even more ideally, immediately after the cat is finished with their business.
4. Consulting a Vet
If you suspect your cat is pooping in the sink because of a health issue, take them to the vet. Only a professional can properly diagnose and treat the problem. Once they are recovered, you should notice things returning to normal- unless they’re already used to the sink!
Final Verdict
Under no circumstance should you allow poop in the sink. Besides being unsanitary, it can also lead to problems like a clog, foul smell, and other health issues. And while the clogs can be easy to dissolve, sometimes you may even have to involve a professional plumber, and that means parting with a decent amount of cash.
You don’t want to deal with either of these consequences. So, the best option is to avoid dealing with the problem first. If it’s your cat doing the business there, take time to find out why they are opting for the sink. It could be they are trying to pass on essential information about their health or their litter boxes.