The sewer system is not able to transport unsuitable waste.
Due to the risk of clogging, e.g. the following substances and items must not be put in the drains:
- solid household waste (potatoes peels, fruit peels, etc.)
- coffee grounds
- cigarette butts
- wrapping or newsprint paper
- textiles and menstrual pads
- disposable cleaning cloths, handkerchiefs, etc.
- sand
- building waste
- grease, oil, petrol, solvents, etc.
- hazardous waste
- toilet freshener racks, medicine packs and other bathroom accessories
What to do if the drain is blocked? The resident can try to open it with drain openers available from normal grocery stores (those intended for professional use should not be used except by professionals!). If the drain does not open with them, you should contact property maintenance immediately.
Water seals, or odour traps, are the responsibility of the housing cooperative and should not be opened by the resident. However, the resident has a duty of notification and diligence. For example, if the odour trap under the sink leaks, it should be reported to property maintenance. However, the floor drain should be regularly cleaned of hair and dirt accumulating there by the resident. The floor drain strainer cover is removed before cleaning the floor drain.
During a long period of inactivity, water may evaporate from the odour trap, allowing odour to enter the rooms. For a long period of inactivity, a drop of cooking oil, for example, can be poured into the odour trap, which prevents water from evaporating from the odour trap.