By Matt Naylor, Licensed Master Plumber at Beehive Plumbing
As a homeowner, dealing with clogged drains is never fun. Often, you don’t realize there’s a problem until the water won’t go down. It’s one of those “out of sight, out of mind” issues that suddenly becomes urgent when the drain stops working.
Here at Beehive Plumbing, we’ve seen it all. Drains back up instantly—they can work perfectly for years, and then one day, they don’t.
However, by following the plumbing best practices below, you can reduce the risk of clogs and prevent costly repairs.
1. Regularly Clean Your Sink Stoppers
Over time, debris like hair, soap scum, and grime can accumulate around the stoppers in your sinks. This build-up is one of the most common causes of clogs.
One easy way to prevent this is by regularly removing and cleaning the stoppers.
- How to Clean Your Sink Stoppers: Remove the stopper and use a brush or old toothbrush to scrub away any buildup. This simple step can go a long way in keeping water flowing smoothly through your pipes.
2. Use Natural Bacterial Drain Cleaners Like Bio-Line
While chemical drain cleaners like Drano are often marketed as quick fixes, they can actually be harsh on your pipes and lead to more problems down the road.
Instead, I recommend using a natural product like Bio-Line, which is both effective and safe for your plumbing system.
- What Is Bio-Line? Bio-Linee is a drain cleaner that uses bacteria mixed with enzymes. Once it’s poured into your drain, the bacteria become active.
It breaks down the soap scum, biofilm, and other organic material that builds up in your pipes over time. Unlike chemical cleaners, it won’t harm your pipes. - How to Use Bio-Linee: Bio-Linee works best as a monthly treatment. This means that, for it to be effective, you need to stay consistent with it.
If you remember to use it regularly, it can make a big difference in keeping your drains clear.
3. Be Smart About What You Put in Your Garbage Disposal
Many clogs are caused by improper use of garbage disposals. There’s a common myth that putting eggshells down the disposal helps sharpen its blades.
But here’s the truth: garbage disposals don’t have blades—they have a blunt system that grinds up food waste.
Eggs, coffee grounds, and large amounts of food can cause serious problems. Not just in your sink, but further down the sewer line. Below is best way to use garbage disposal.
- Garbage Disposal Best Practices:
- Feed waste into the disposal slowly, and avoid dumping large amounts of food all at once.
- Always run cold water while the disposal is in use and continue running water for at least 15 seconds after you’ve turned it off to help flush the waste through your pipes.
- Avoid putting fibrous foods like celery, potato peels, or large amounts of pasta into the disposal, as these can lead to clogs further down the drain.
- Feed waste into the disposal slowly, and avoid dumping large amounts of food all at once.
Why Preventive Clog Maintenance Matters
The bottom line is that clogs usually happen at the worst possible times, and they can often be prevented. Just like with most home systems, taking small preventive steps can save you from big problems later on.
By regularly cleaning your sink stoppers, using natural drain cleaners like Bio-Line, and being mindful of what you put down your garbage disposal, you can significantly reduce the chances of a major plumbing issue.
