How to Prevent Clogged Drains in Your Home

If you ignore a clogged drain, it can lead to expensive plumbing repairs. Kitchen sinks, bathroom drains, and even main sewer lines are prone to buildup, which can create complete blockages, cause sewage backup, and even separated or damaged drainpipes. The good news is that most clogs are preventable with simple habits and regular maintenance.

In this guide, we’ll explain how to prevent clogged drains in different areas of your home so your pipes can flow smoothly.

Why Does My Drain Keep Clogging?

Many things clog drains, including:

• Hair and soap scum that build up over time
• Grease, food particles, and coffee grounds that can cause blockages
• Flushable wipes, excessive toilet paper, and hygiene products that don’t break down easily
• Outdoor debris and tree roots that can block flow in main sewer lines

What Drains Get Clogged the Most?

Certain drains in your home are more prone to clogs due to daily use and the materials that go down them. Here are the most common problem areas.

Kitchen Sink Drains

Kitchen sinks are prone to clogs from grease, food scraps, coffee grounds, and soap residue. While garbage disposals can be a big help, they don’t solve the problem entirely.

Bathroom Sink and Shower Drains

Your bathroom is particularly prone to clogs because of hair, soap scum, toothpaste, and mineral buildup in your sink and shower. If you don’t clean these areas regularly, your drains might suffer blockages.

Kitchen Drain Clog Prevention Tips

Want to learn how to keep drains from clogging in the kitchen? Here are our favorite drain clog prevention tips.

Be Careful with What Goes Down the Drain

• Never pour grease down the sink. Let the grease cool and dispose of it in the trash. 
• Use a sink strainer to catch food scraps. Avoid putting coffee grounds, eggshells, or pasta down the drain.

Flush Your Kitchen Drain Regularly

• Pour boiling water down the drain. Do this once a week to break up minor buildup.
• Use vinegar and baking soda. This is a natural, chemical-free cleaning solution.
• Run cold water when using the garbage disposal. This flushes food particles through the system.

Install a Sink Strainer

• Use a fine-mesh strainer. This prevents food scraps from entering the drain.
• Empty and rinse strainers daily. Doing so makes sure they continue to work optimally.

Clean the Garbage Disposal Properly

• Grind ice cubes and citrus peels regularly. These sharpen blades and neutralize odors.
• Avoid grinding fibrous foods like celery and potato peels. Fibrous foods can get stuck and cause clogs.

Bathroom Drain Clog Prevention Tips

You also need to consider how to keep bathroom drains clean. The following tips can help.

Keep Hair Out of Shower Drains

• Use a hair catcher in the shower or bathtub. These can trap loose strands before they enter the drain.
• Brush hair before showering. This will reduce shedding that can clog the drain.

Prevent Soap Scum and Mineral Buildup

• Use liquid soap instead of bar soap. Bar soap contains fats that contribute to residue buildup.
• Regularly flush drains with hot water and vinegar. This combo can break down soap scum.

Be Mindful of What Goes in the Toilet

• Only flush toilet paper. Avoid flushing wipes (even "flushable" ones), cotton balls, or hygiene products.
• Keep a trash bin nearby. This encourages the proper disposal of non-flushable items.

Clean Sink and Shower Drains Regularly

• Use a DIY cleaning solution of baking soda and vinegar. It’s simple but effective in preventing buildup.
• Schedule routine professional drain cleaning for long-term maintenance. To keep your drains in ideal condition, have them cleaned once a year.

What is the Best Way to Clear Clogged Drains?

Even with good habits, clogs can still happen. Fixing a clogged drain doesn’t have to be a headache. Use these tips to clear your drain clog and move your water on its way.

Try a Plunger First

A sink or toilet plunger can effectively dislodge minor blockages. Make sure to use the correct plunger for each type of drain:

• Cup plunger: Best for sinks, showers, and tubs
• Flange plunger: Best for toilets

Use a Drain Snake for Deeper Clogs

A drain snake or auger can reach clogs deep in pipes that a plunger can’t remove. Here’s how to clear a clogged drain with one:

• Insert the snake into the drain.
• Slowly rotate the snake to break apart debris and hair clogs.
• Reel the snake back up and dispose of debris.
• Flush the drain with hot water to remove additional residue.

DIY Solutions for Minor Clogs

Consider a natural solution if you don’t want to use chemical drain cleaners that can corrode pipes and cause long-term damage. You can unclog a drain naturally with a homemade concoction:

• ½ cup of baking soda
• 1 cup of vinegar
• Hot water

Just pour this down your drain and watch as it performs its magic.

When to Call a Professional

If DIY methods fail, a professional drain cleaning service can diagnose and resolve the issue. Signs you need expert help include:

• Recurring clogs
• Slow drainage
• Gurgling sounds

Our Roto-Rooter plumbing professionals are available 24/7, 365 days a year, if you need help unclogging your drains.

How to Keep Drains from Clogging: Keep Up With Preventative Drain Maintenance

A little preventative drain maintenance goes a long way in preventing costly plumbing problems. The big takeaways? Always use drain strainers and avoid pouring debris into drains. Also, regularly flushing drains keeps them clear of most issues. Most important of all, schedule professional drain cleaning for long-term upkeep.

By adopting these habits, you can keep your home’s plumbing in great shape and avoid the headache of clogged drains.