You’re enjoying a relaxing shower after a long day until you notice a worrying sign—the water has started pooling around your ankles. As you slosh around finishing up, you’re already bracing for the inevitable: waiting for the water to go down, then desperately drain-snaking.
If you’re looking to avoid this hassle altogether, the key is learning how to keep drain pipes from clogging in the first place. With this complete guide to how to prevent clogged drains, we’ll walk you through some simple habits to keep the water flowing freely.
What causes drain clogs?
The forces behind your clogged drains can vary depending on the system and functionality. These are some of the main clog-causers to look out for:
Kitchen
Certain culprits can slow down your hard-working kitchen sink:
- Grease & oil – It might be liquid when hot, but once it cools, it turns into a pipe-clogging nightmare.
- Food scraps – Even small bits can build up, especially starchy foods like pasta, rice, and potato peels that swell with water.
- Coffee grounds – They clump together instead of breaking down, leading to stubborn blockages.
- Soap & scum – Over time, soap residue can mix with other debris, creating a sticky mess inside pipes.
Bathroom
Your bathroom drains deal with a lot—here’s what can cause trouble:
- Hair – The #1 enemy of bathroom drains. It tangles, sticks, and forms impenetrable clogs.
- Soap buildup – Bar soaps, in particular, contain fats that leave behind a filmy residue.
- Personal care products – Face masks, exfoliants, and even toothpaste can leave behind gunky buildup over time.
Toilets
Toilets are designed for one main job, but these items can wreak havoc:
- Non-flushable wipes – Unlike toilet paper, non-flushable wipes like paper towels or tissues don’t dissolve and can create massive clogs.
- Feminine hygiene products – These expand in water and should always go in the trash.
- Cotton swabs & dental floss – Small but mighty clog-makers that can tangle and trap other debris.
6 Everyday habits that prevent clogs
Wondering how to prevent clogged drains from ever occurring? By practicing a few daily habits, you’ll be well on your way to preventing pesky clogs from ever occurring. Here’s what to do:
1. Scrape plates thoroughly before rinsing
Leftover food, even tiny bits, can stick inside your pipes and build up over time. That’s why it’s important to scrape the contents of your plate out thoroughly into the trash or compost bin before they ever hit the sink.
2. Use a sink strainer to catch debris
A simple mesh strainer can trap food particles, coffee grounds, and other clog-causing bits before they slip down the drain. Just empty the strainer in the trash regularly when it starts filling up, and you’re good to go.
3. NEVER pour grease or cooking oil down the drain
Grease starts as a liquid, but it cools and hardens inside your pipes, which can spell really bad news for your plumbing. Instead, pour used grease into a container, let it solidify, and toss it in the trash.
4. Use a drain catcher to trap hair
Hair is the #1 reason bathroom drains clog, and once it’s tangled in there, it’s a nightmare to remove. Although there are some ways to tease the clumps of hairs out, your best bet is to avoid them in the first place. Putting a simple drain catcher in the shower can save you from dealing with slow-draining water (or worse, a total blockage).
5. Avoid flushing anything other than toilet paper
Wipes, tissues, cotton swabs, and hygiene products don’t break down like toilet paper does. Although the toilet may feel like an easy disposal unit, don’t invite any unwelcome clogs from paper product refuse. Stick to TP only!
6. Rinse out sinks and tubs after use to wash away residue
Soap scum, toothpaste, and beauty products leave behind a film that can lead to buildup over time. A quick rinse after each use helps keep drains clear and fresh.
Regular maintenance
Even if you’re careful about what goes down your drains, some buildup is inevitable. That’s why a little routine maintenance can go a long way in drain clog prevention.
Once a week, flush your drains with boiling water to help dissolve grease and soap scum before they turn into a problem. Just skip this step if you have PVC pipes, as extreme heat can damage them.
Once a month, go a step further by using a natural drain cleaner like baking soda and vinegar. Just pour in about a half-cup of baking soda, follow it with a cup of vinegar, and let the fizzy reaction work its magic before rinsing with hot water.
Drain stoppers and strainers are an important part of drain maintenance, too. Hair, soap scum, and general gunk tend to get caught in them, and if left unchecked, they’ll slow your drainage over time. Give them a quick clean regularly to keep everything flowing smoothly.
Drain don’ts
When it comes to clogged drain pipe solutions, some “quick fixes” can actually make things worse. Here’s what not to do:
- Skip the chemical drain cleaners. They may seem like an easy solution, but frequent use can corrode your pipes and lead to bigger plumbing issues. If you need a serious unclogging, opt for safer methods first.
- Don’t rely solely on your garbage disposal. Just because it can grind up food doesn’t mean it’s a magic drain-saver. Things like grease, coffee grounds, and fibrous foods (like celery or potato peels) can still clog your pipes even if they’ve been through the disposal.
- Be cautious with DIY drain snakes. While they can help in a pinch, using them improperly can damage your pipes or push clogs further down, making the problem worse. If a clog isn’t budging, it may be time to call in a professional.
Your process for how to keep drains from clogging doesn’t have to be complicated. With a few good habits and a little regular maintenance, you can keep your pipes happy and clog-free.
Keep your drains (and home) running smoothly
A little prevention goes a long way when it comes to keeping your drains clog-free. But even with the best care, home systems and appliances can still run into trouble. When they do, HSA℠ is here to help.
With expert tips and home warranty coverage, we help keep your home running smoothly—so if your dishwasher, plumbing, or any other covered item calls it quits, you won’t have to face it alone.