How to Prevent Drain Clogs: A Complete Guide

Clogged drains are one of those household hassles that seem to come out of nowhere — but the truth is they’re often the result of habits we don’t even think about. The good news is a few small changes to your daily routine can go a long way in keeping your drains clear and trouble-free.

By understanding the common culprits behind clogs and adopting some simple prevention strategies, you can save yourself the stress and expense of a backed-up sink or shower. 

Preventing Clogs in Your Kitchen Drain

The kitchen sink is often the starting point for the toughest clogs, so a little prevention here can save you a lot of trouble (and money).

Begin by using a sturdy sink strainer to catch food particles before they go down the drain. Make it a habit to clean the strainer after each use—small food scraps may seem harmless, but they can accumulate over time and lead to blockages.

Also as a preventative, you should also make use of an enzyme-based drain cleaner every few weeks. Regular use of an enzyme cleaner prevents clogs before they start by digesting and eliminating the build-up of gunk and organic material in your drain lines.

But perhaps most importantly, to keep your kitchen drain clear, avoid putting these items down the sink:

• Cooking grease and oils: Even liquid oils can solidify as they cool, sticking to your pipes and trapping other debris.
• Coffee grounds: These clump together and act like sand, creating dense blockages.
• Eggshells: The sharp edges and gritty texture can get stuck and cause buildup.
• Rice and pasta: These expand in water and can clog the pipes over time.
• Fibrous vegetables: Foods like celery or asparagus can tangle and snag inside your pipes.
• Fruit peels: The tough, fibrous nature of peels makes them difficult to break down.

Instead of rinsing cooking oil or grease down the drain, pour it into a container and throw it in the trash once it cools.

These small, proactive steps will go a long way toward preventing stubborn kitchen clogs and keeping your pipes flowing freely.

Bathroom Drain Care

Bathroom drains are particularly prone to clogs, with hair being the main culprit. Over time, hair can collect in your pipes, trap soap residue, and form stubborn blockages that are difficult to clear. To prevent this, start by installing mesh screens over all bathroom drains. These screens are affordable, easy to use, and highly effective at catching hair while allowing water to flow freely. Make it a habit to clean these screens weekly—or even daily in high-use bathrooms—to prevent buildup.

In addition to using drain screens, take a moment after each shower to remove any hair trapped on the drain cover. This small step can save you the hassle of dealing with hair that moves deeper into your pipes, where it’s harder to access and often requires professional intervention.

To further protect your bathroom drains, avoid flushing or rinsing the following items down them:

• Dental floss: Floss doesn’t dissolve and can wrap around other debris, creating tangles that clog pipes.

• Cotton swabs: These often get stuck in curves and joints, obstructing water flow.

• Paper products: Unlike toilet paper, tissues, paper towels, and other products don’t break down easily and can block pipes.

• Bath oils: Oils may solidify in cooler pipes, leading to greasy clogs that trap other materials.

• Hair accessories: Small items like bobby pins or hair ties can fall into drains and create physical blockages.

• Soap pieces: As bar soap wears down, leftover bits can lodge in pipes, especially when mixed with hair or other debris.

Bonus points: use an enzyme drain cleaner with regularity. This type of drain cleaner will help by digesting the organic material that builds up on the inside of your bathroom pipes, making it more difficult for future clogs.

Smart Washing Machine Habits

Clean your washing machine's lint trap after each use. Lint, fabric fibers, and pet hair can create serious clogs in washer drain lines.

Use mesh laundry bags when washing items that shed:

• Fleece garments

• New towels

• Pet bedding

• Fuzzy blankets

Proper Garbage Disposal Use

Your garbage disposal is a handy kitchen tool, but improper use can lead to clogs, damage, and costly repairs. By following a few simple steps, you can keep your disposal running smoothly and prevent plumbing issues.

1. Use Cold Water to Protect Your Pipes. Always run cold water before, during, and after using your disposal. The cold water helps fats, oils, and grease remain in a solid state, making it easier for the disposal blades to chop them into smaller pieces. Without cold water, warm fats can liquefy and coat your pipes, eventually solidifying further down the line and creating stubborn blockages.

2. Turn the Disposal On Before Adding Food. Switch on your garbage disposal before placing food scraps into it. This practice ensures that the blades are spinning and ready to process the waste immediately. Adding food while the disposal is off can overload the blades and motor, potentially causing jams or damage.

3. Let it Run Long Enough to Clear the Pipes. After the grinding noise stops, let the disposal run for an additional 30 seconds with cold water flowing. This extra time ensures that all food particles are completely flushed through your pipes and into the drain system. Turning the disposal off too soon can leave waste behind, increasing the risk of clogs.

Additional Tips for Garbage Disposal Maintenance:

• Avoid Overloading the Disposal. Add food scraps gradually rather than dumping large amounts all at once. This reduces strain on the motor and blades.
• Cut Large Scraps into Smaller Pieces. Break down larger items, such as potato peels or fruit cores, into smaller chunks before placing them in the disposal.
• Regular Cleaning. Drop a few ice cubes into the disposal every few weeks and run it with cold water. The ice sharpens the blades and helps dislodge stuck debris.
• Freshen the Disposal. To remove odors, run lemon or orange peels through the disposal, or use a natural enzyme cleaner designed for garbage disposals. 

Signs of Developing Clogs

Watch for early warning signs, including slow drainage, gurgling sounds, water backing up, and unpleasant odors. Address these signs immediately to prevent complete blockages.

Natural Cleaning Solutions for Developing Clogs

If you're in a jam and an enzyme-based cleaner isn't readily available, you can try making your own drain cleaner using common household items:

1. Pour 1/2 cup baking soda down the drain

2. Add 1/2 cup white vinegar

3. Cover the drain

4. Wait 15 minutes

5. Flush with hot water

Use this method monthly for maintenance.

Emergency Supplies You Should Keep Handy

Keep basic tools ready:

• Plunger

• Drain snake

• Rubber gloves

• Natural cleaning supplies

Simple Steps to Prevent Drain Clogs 

Remember, prevention requires less effort than fixing clogs. Regular maintenance and good habits keep your drains clear and functioning properly.

Most importantly, these practices save money on emergency plumbing services and protect your plumbing system's long-term health.

For more information, feel free to contact us. We're happy to help.