The best drain problem is the one that never happens. As Burbank's neighborhood plumber, we see the same preventable clogs repeatedly. The good news: most drain blockages can be eliminated entirely with a few simple habits and inexpensive tools. Here are our top 10 recommendations.
Kitchen Drains
1. Never Pour Grease Down the Drain
Liquid cooking grease, fat, and oil are the #1 cause of kitchen drain clogs. They flow easily when hot but solidify as they cool, sticking to pipe walls and catching everything else that flows past. Pour cooled grease into a sealed container and throw it in the trash.
2. Use a Strainer Basket
A $3 mesh strainer basket in your kitchen sink catches food particles, coffee grounds, and small debris before they enter the drain. Empty it after every use. This single tool prevents more clogs than anything else.
3. Run Cold Water When Using the Garbage Disposal
Always run cold water (not hot) when using the garbage disposal — it solidifies grease so the disposal can chop and flush it before it sticks to pipe walls. Keep the water running for 30 seconds after you turn off the disposal.
4. Avoid These Items in the Kitchen Drain
- Pasta, rice, and bread — they absorb water and expand
- Coffee grounds — they pack together and don't dissolve
- Eggshells — the membrane wraps around other debris
- Starchy vegetable peels (potato, carrot) — they turn into paste
Bathroom Drains
5. Install Drain Hair Catchers
Hair is the primary cause of bathroom and shower drain clogs. A silicone or stainless hair catcher sits over your drain and catches every strand. They cost $5–$10 and eliminate the majority of bathroom drain clogs completely.
6. Clean Stoppers Regularly
Bathroom sink stoppers (the pop-up plugs) accumulate hair, soap scum, and toothpaste below the surface. Pull yours out monthly, clean off the buildup, and rinse before replacing. This takes two minutes and prevents slow drains from ever developing.
7. Flush Only Toilet Paper
"Flushable" wipes, paper towels, cotton balls, dental floss, feminine hygiene products, and medications should never go down the toilet. Despite the "flushable" label, wipes do not break down in pipes and are a leading cause of sewer backups and municipal pump failures.
Whole-Home Habits
8. Run Hot Water Down Drains Weekly
Once a week, let your hottest tap water run down each drain for 2–3 minutes. This helps flush away early-stage grease and soap buildup before it hardens. Even better, follow it with a half-cup of baking soda and a cup of white vinegar for natural deodorizing and light cleaning.
9. Schedule Annual Drain Maintenance
Even with perfect habits, hard water scale and buildup accumulate over time. An annual professional drain inspection and hydro-jetting of your main line prevents years of buildup from becoming an emergency.
10. Know Where Your Main Cleanout Is
Your sewer cleanout is the access point for diagnosing and clearing main line blockages — usually a 4-inch white or black ABS cap near the foundation or in your front yard. Make sure it's accessible and not buried under landscaping.
Following these habits will dramatically reduce your plumbing bills over time. But when a clog does happen, call Prestige Plumbing Services at (818) 688-1595. We offer fast, affordable drain cleaning in Burbank with same-day appointments available.
