Will joint compound / drywall mud clog my drain?

Question

If I wash my tools (knives and mud pan) in my laundry tub/sink after use, will the drywall mud clog my drain pipes?

Answer 1

I think it would depend on the amount of compound you're putting down the drain, what size drain, how much water is used to flush the tools, and probably a few other factors I haven't thought of. Though typically it's not a problem, as long as you're not pouring a whole tray of mud down the drain.

Scoop out any left over mud from your tray/hawk, and throw it away. Then rinse all the tools thoroughly.

NOTE: If you're using premixed compound, never put unused mud back in the bucket. Once the mud is out of the bucket, either use it, or toss it.

Answer 2

Drywall mud's redeeming quality vs its better qualified plaster cousins is its solubility. Adding any water to drywall mud will slowly dissolve it. Add a lot of water or hot water to mud (in any state) will start to dissolve the material, quite quickly if water overpowers.

The only possibly issue is if you poured down a chunk that blocked things then put more stuff down the drain - in effect blocking your blocked mud. Otherwise water will dissolve whatever is stuck and it will be a non-issue. Should you put vast amounts down a drain? Only if you are confident that this blockage can't become blocked. If you have clean pvc you could probably dump bags of drywall mud powder down without an issue - I wouldn't recommend testing this though.

What is funny is that probably the worst possible thing you can put down your drain is cooked, soft boxed pasta. Once it hardens it sticks like mad and takes quite a bit of time before it softens.

Answer 3

In general I wouldn't go pouring gallons down your drain, however if you put some down just run hot water for awhile afterwards. Supposedly if you have already done it and even supposedly if a little but hardened, the hot water should still loosen it up enough to separate and flush down. I always wash my tools in my sink that have paint or putty left over on them and flush like I said afterwards and have never had any problems.

Answer 4

My kids just did just this, drywall compound has the main sewer drain all stopped up! Don't do it!!!!

Answer 5

Years too late, but spackle, mud, and drywall compound will indeed settle in your pipes and clog the drain line. Don't clean your tools in the sink, and do the brunt of your personal cleaning outdoors.

Answer 6

DONT DO IT. I have been a plasterer for over 30years. It will definitely clog your drains and the unset plaster will definitely set in the drains. Scape all excess into a lined bin, Wash your tools into a bucket, let the bucket settle overnight, carefully pour off the clear water on top down a sewer drain, put the sludge in the bin or let it dry off a bit more and put it in the bin. If you want this to settle better then add a flocking agent, you can get from a pool shop. If you test the PH of the clear water on top, you can get tabs from a pool shop, and it is between 6.5 and 9 then this can be safely tipped down the storm water, clear water only. then deal with the sludge/solids as above. To be safe I would still tip the clear water down the sewer.

Answer 7

If you have a smooth pipe and lots of water you may be OK!

However if your drain pipe is rough inside such as old clay or metal pipes, the texture will collect the mud on the inside of the pipe and harden especially on the sides and top.

I would not do it especially in a 50 year old house.

Answer 8

Just don't do it. Use another taping knife or similar object (scraper) over a trash can to scrape your tools when the residue mud is dry or even just semi dry. It is not necessary to wash them.