Zahid Ali
4 min read · Plumbing
The #1 Cause of Kitchen Clogs
Grease and fat. People pour cooking grease down the drain, it cools, solidifies, and coats the pipe walls. Over time, food particles and soap residue layer on top until the drain is blocked. The fix: let grease cool and solidify in a container, then dispose of it in the trash. Never pour fats, oils, or cooking grease down any drain.
Bathroom Drains: Hair and Soap
Hair binds with soap residue and forms clogs just inside the drain opening or at the P-trap. Use a drain catch or strainer in every shower and tub — they're $5 and prevent most bathroom clogs entirely. Clean them weekly. If you have a slow shower drain, a simple drain snake from the hardware store often clears it in minutes.
What Should Never Go Down a Toilet
The rule is simple: only toilet paper. Wipes (even those labeled 'flushable'), cotton balls, Q-tips, paper towels, feminine hygiene products, and dental floss all cause clogs and sewer backups. Wipes are the leading cause of serious sewer line blockages we see across the DC Metro area.
When to Call a Plumber
Slow drains across multiple fixtures simultaneously suggest a main line blockage — not a fixture-level clog. If you have multiple slow drains, gurgling sounds from other drains when you flush, or sewage smell in the home, call a plumber immediately. These are signs of a main sewer line issue that gets worse and more expensive the longer it's ignored.
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