How To Keep Your Drains Clear All Year
How to Keep Your Drains Clear Year-Round
Blocked drains are one of the most common plumbing callouts we attend — and many of them are entirely preventable. A few simple habits can dramatically reduce your risk of a blockage and extend the life of your drain pipes.
Use a Drain Strainer in Every Sink and Shower
Hair and soap scum are the leading cause of bathroom drain blockages. A simple $5 drain strainer catches hair and debris before it enters the pipe. Clean it after every shower. In the kitchen, a strainer prevents food scraps and coffee grounds from entering the drain. It's the easiest and most effective prevention measure available.
Never Pour Grease or Oil Down the Drain
Cooking grease is a major cause of kitchen drain blockages. When hot grease enters a drain, it cools and solidifies on the pipe walls, narrowing the passage over time. Always pour used cooking oil into a container and dispose of it in the bin. Wipe greasy pans with a paper towel before washing them. Even small amounts of grease accumulate quickly in a busy kitchen.
Flush Your Drains With Hot Water Regularly
Once a week, run very hot (not boiling) water down your kitchen sink for 30–60 seconds. This helps dissolve and flush away grease and soap build-up before it hardens. For bathroom drains, a regular flush of hot water also helps clear soap residue and slow-forming hair blockages. This simple habit takes less than a minute and can prevent many common blockages.
Only Flush What Should Be Flushed
Toilets are designed to handle human waste and toilet paper — nothing else. Wet wipes (even 'flushable' ones), cotton pads, sanitary products, and paper towels are major causes of sewer blockages. These items don't break down in the pipe and can cause serious blockages that affect not just your property but the entire sewer line. Put a bin in the bathroom and use it.
Book a Preventative Jet Clean Every 2–3 Years
Even with good habits, grease, scale, and debris accumulate in drain pipes over time. A professional high-pressure water jet clean every two to three years removes build-up before it causes a blockage. For properties with established trees near drain lines, an annual inspection and jet clean is a smart investment. It's far cheaper than an emergency callout.
Watch for Early Warning Signs
The earlier you catch a developing blockage, the cheaper it is to fix. Slow drainage, gurgling sounds, and drain odours are all signs to act on immediately. Don't wait until the drain is fully blocked — a partial blockage cleared early is a simple job. A full blockage with potential pipe damage is a much bigger one.
Due for a Drain Clean?
Book a preventative high-pressure jet clean and keep your drains flowing freely all year. Serving the Blue Mountains and Western Sydney.
