Clogged drains are one of the most frequent service calls we receive in East Lansing. Many of them can be avoided with a few consistent habits.
In the Kitchen
- Never pour cooking grease or oil down the drain. Collect it in a container and dispose of it in the trash once cooled.
- Use a sink strainer to catch food scraps and empty it into the trash regularly.
- Run cold water while using the garbage disposal and for a few seconds afterward.
- Avoid putting fibrous foods (celery, potato peels, coffee grounds in large amounts) down the disposal.
In the Bathroom
- Install hair catchers in showers and tubs; clean them weekly.
- Do not flush anything other than toilet paper and human waste.
- Wipe excess toothpaste and hair from the sink before rinsing.
General Maintenance
Once a month, pour a kettle of hot (not boiling if you have PVC pipes) water down drains to help dissolve mild buildup. For deeper cleaning, a mixture of baking soda and vinegar followed by hot water can help, but it is not a substitute for professional cleaning when lines are significantly restricted.
If a drain is already slow or completely blocked, call a professional rather than repeatedly using harsh chemical cleaners, which can damage pipes and rarely solve the root cause.
Need drain cleaning in East Lansing? Learn about our service or contact us today.