How to Maintain the Drains in Your Apartment

Do you hate the smell that your kitchen sink disposal has? Are you finding water sitting in your bathroom sink? Are you standing in a puddle in your bathtub? If the answer is yes to any of these, keep reading to fix it! If a drain gives off an unwanted odor, you may want to consider cleaning it and checking for clogs.

 

WHAT CAN'T BE PUT DOWN DRAINS?

BATHROOM: Hair, hygiene products, cotton swabs, floss, nail clippings, flushable wipes, kitty litter

KITCHEN/DISPOSAL: Grease, oil, butter, fat, pasta, stringy vegetables, eggshells, coffee grounds

 

IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO TO CLEAR MY DRAIN BEFORE CONTACTING MAINTENANCE?

Yes! There are several homemade drain cleaners you can use to try and clear the blockage. Please only use the following cleaners. Chemical drain cleaners can damage your pipes and cause immense damage to our plumbing systems.

BATHROOM: Vinegar

KITCHEN/DISPOSAL: Baking soda & vinegar, hot running water & Grease Lightning Dish Liquid, and vinegar & water ice cubes to grind in the disposal

DO NOT USE CHEMICAL DRAIN CLEANERS. If the technician has to use a drain snake or remove a section of pipe to clear the clog, they are at risk of getting a chemical burn from these cleaners. Some cleaners can react with aluminum and give off an unhealthy gas, others can solidify inside the pipes and cannot be removed. If mixed with other household cleaners, the combined liquid can burst the drain and damage your pipes.

 

HOW DO I PREVENT FUTURE DRAIN CLOGS?

1.  NEVER pour grease down your drain.

Grease is the number one cause of clogged drains. Even when the grease is in liquid form, it will eventually harden over time and will clog your drain and can cause sewer clogs too. Be sure to wipe down the greasy dishes with a paper towel before rinsing them with hot soapy water.

2.  Use drain screens

These allow water to pass but blocks out hair, food, and other larger particles. These are ideal for kitchen sinks and bathtubs.

3.  Run a handful of baking soda and hot water through your drains

This helps the oils in food keep running down the drain rather than building up. This mixture also prevents odors from developing.

4.  Only two things should go town the toilet

Human waste and toilet paper.

5.  Perform regular maintenance on drains and stoppers

Pouring a few pots of boiling water down your sink once a week and cleaning your stoppers can help maintain the flow of your drains.

 

WHAT DOES THE DRAIN CLEANING PROCESS LOOK LIKE FOR A MAINTENANCE TECH?

When drains are clogged, Maintenance Techs take out the pipes or send a "drain snake" down to clear the blockage. It can take multiple attempts to clean whatever is creating a clog.

Drain cleanings are done by our Maintenance Team. If water starts draining slowly, let us know. Do not wait until water is overflowing to request maintenance. Overflowing water can lead to mold, damage, and flooding.