Question About Clay Going Down The Drain

[Jstock673]

I have a question about letting my clay go down my drains? I recently started working on my wheel more and I usually clean out my splash pan outside with the hose but sometimes I change the water in my bucket in my bathtub. Since there are sometimes a lot of clay in the bucket I'm just wondering if that is safe to be going down my drain? I know I remember my clay studio in college always had sink traps in them but I'm just wondering if something like that is really necessary working on a small scale. 

 

If It were to be a problem what could happen?

 

Thanks! 

 

Jeff

[Mark C.]

Clay will clog your drains-period-Just a matter of time.

Clay particles settle 1st in your p-trap which is under your bathtub drain.

nest in any low spot or slow moving water spot.

No matter what scale its just a matter of time

There has been endless posts on this subject-use the search function and you will find many other ways to avoid this issue.

Welcome to the forum .

[yappystudent]

The only thing worse than putting clay down your drains is maybe aquarium gravel. Don't ask how I know. But clay pretty much immediately forms a sediment that builds quickly with each little bit that goes down the pipes. You don't want to have to replace those pipes, from what I understand they can't really be cleaned out with any standard plumbing equipment because the sediment gets rock hard.

[neilestrick]

Get a Gleco Trap for your sink. I don't think there's any way to put a trap on your bathtub.

[D Walsh]

Don't  let any plaster from mold making go down the drain either.  It will solidify and ruin the drain. 

[Jstock673]

Get a Gleco Trap for your sink. I don't think there's any way to put a trap on your bathtub.

 

 

Don't  let any plaster from mold making go down the drain either.  It will solidify and ruin the drain. 

 

 

The only thing worse than putting clay down your drains is maybe aquarium gravel. Don't ask how I know. But clay pretty much immediately forms a sediment that builds quickly with each little bit that goes down the pipes. You don't want to have to replace those pipes, from what I understand they can't really be cleaned out with any standard plumbing equipment because the sediment gets rock hard.

 

 

Clay will clog your drains-period-Just a matter of time.

Clay particles settle 1st in your p-trap which is under your bathtub drain.

nest in any low spot or slow moving water spot.

No matter what scale its just a matter of time

There has been endless posts on this subject-use the search function and you will find many other ways to avoid this issue.

Welcome to the forum .

 

 

 

 

Thanks for all the info! I'm glad I didn't continue doing that. Yeah we actually had a problem with our outside water pipe just the other day and I think it may have been related to it. Luckily it wasn't a major issue and we had it resolved the next day. I'll look into getting a sink trap for sure now. Good to know, thanks again!

[Chilly]

And if you do put stuff down the sink you shouldn't, put the plug in, fill to the brim, let the plug out, is better than just leaving the tap running to help flush stuff out.

[Pres]

Make yourself a sentiment collection system with a couple of buckets and some plastic pipe. fitting at the top of both buckets connected together, so sentiment settles as you pour into one filling to the other, and then out. Most clay is gone, empty a third final collection bucket.

 

best,

pres

[NancyLH1]

I am just beginning to work with clay, and was wondering if you can help me with your opinions on clay traps for my utility sink in my garage. I won't be working with it EVERYDAY, but don't want to have any issues with my plumbing and pipes. Gleco makes so many different ones, that I was hoping someone could help me decide which one is best for effectiveness , and convenience, and price! 

Thank you in advance,

Nancy L'Hommedieu

[oldlady]

there are many ways to trap clay that do not involve doing anything with the existing plumbing.  the simplest is to have a bucket in your sink that you use when working with clay.  wash everything in the bucket including your hands.   if you drill a circle of small holes around the top inch or so, the heavy clay goes to the bottom and the cleanest water goes out the holes.  that is what might go down your drain.  to stop it, place a short piece of pipe inside the drain hole.  it should be just big enough to fit the drain and a couple of inches high when inserted.  

if you only plan to use it occasionally, this should work for you.  if not, there are lots of traps in previous posts here.    if you do not like the ideas shown, gleco is always an option.

[Mark C.]

On 4/8/2017 at 3:17 AM, yappystudent said:

The only thing worse than putting clay down your drains is maybe aquarium gravel. Don't ask how I know. But clay pretty much immediately forms a sediment that builds quickly with each little bit that goes down the pipes. You don't want to have to replace those pipes, from what I understand they can't really be cleaned out with any standard plumbing equipment because the sediment gets rock hard.

I think plaster is worse-just put a bucket of plaster down the drain and its done-but wait if you really want troble tray premixed cement it makes clay look like drain cleaner.