No one enjoys having to fix a clogged drain in Seattle over and over. It’s messy, frustrating, and always seems to happen at the worst time. But here’s the thing: a lot of the clogs we deal with aren’t just bad luck or old pipes. We often don’t even realize certain habits hurt our plumbing.
From what you rinse down the sink to how you use your shower, everyday routines could be doing some serious damage to your drains over time. The good news is, most of these habits are easy to fix once you know what to watch for.
In this post, we’ll discuss seven sneaky household habits quietly wrecking your drains and, of course, how to avoid them before they turn into costly plumbing problems. Let’s begin.
Avoid These Household Habits!
1. Pouring Grease Down the Kitchen Sink
Here’s a scene we’re all familiar with: you’re cooking bacon or frying something up. Once you’re done, it seems easy enough to just pour the leftover grease down the drain. Out of sight, out of mind, right?
Unfortunately, that’s one of the fastest ways to create a disastrous clog in your kitchen plumbing.
Grease may go down as a liquid, but as it cools, it solidifies and sticks to the inside of your pipes. Over time, it builds up, trapping food particles and debris. Before you know it, you’re reaching for the plunger — or worse, calling a plumber to fix bigger issues.
What to do instead: Let grease cool and pour it into a disposable container (like an empty can or jar), then toss it in the trash. A little extra cleanup now saves a major headache later.
2. Flushing “Flushable” Wipes and Other Non-Toilet Paper Items
Despite what the label says, “flushable” wipes aren’t really flushable — or at least not if you care about your plumbing.
These wipes, along with paper towels, cotton balls, dental floss, and feminine hygiene products, don’t break down like toilet paper does. Instead, they clump together, catch on rough spots in your pipes, and create stubborn blockages that are tough to clear.
Many homeowners end up with serious sewer line issues because of what they thought was safe to flush. Spoiler alert: your toilet isn’t a trash can.
What to do instead: Keep a small trash bin in the bathroom and use it for anything that isn’t standard toilet paper. Even those “flushable” wipes should go in the bin, not down the drain.
3. Letting Hair Go Down the Shower Drain
It might not seem like a big deal at the moment, but those strands of hair that swirl down your shower drain day after day can become a major contributor to clogs.
Hair tangles up with soap scum, conditioner residue, and whatever else is hanging around in your pipes — and it all forms into one stubborn, gunky mess.
Over time, this buildup slows your drain, traps odors, and can lead to a complete blockage. If you’re constantly reaching for the drain cleaner or plunger after showers, hair is probably the culprit.
What to do instead: Use a hair catcher or drain screen in your shower and clean it out regularly. It’s cheap and easy, and it will save you a lot of grief in the long run.
4. Using Too Much Soap or Shampoo
Yep, even something as innocent as your favorite body wash could be messing with your plumbing. Many soaps — particularly the thick, creamy ones — contain fats and oils that can cling to the inside of your pipes, especially when combined with hard water.
Eventually, this can create a grimy buildup that narrows the flow of water and leads to a clogged drain. If you’ve ever noticed a slimy film around your sink or tub, that’s the same stuff collecting in your pipes.
What to do instead: You don’t need to ditch your favorite products, but be mindful of how much you’re using. Also, consider switching to low-residue or eco-friendly soaps if clogs keep coming back.
5. Rinsing Food Scraps Down the Sink (Even with a Garbage Disposal)
Garbage disposals can be super convenient, but they’re not a green light to send every food scrap down the drain. Things like rice, pasta, eggshells, coffee grounds, and vegetable peels might go down easily at first. However, they can swell, stick, and clump together deep in your pipes, leading to major clogs.
Even disposals can get jammed or damaged by certain scraps, turning a minor habit into a plumbing bill. And once that buildup sets in, you may find yourself scrambling to fix issues that could’ve been easily avoided.
What to do instead: Scrape food into the trash or compost bin before rinsing plates. Use your garbage disposal for soft, small scraps only, and always run cold water before, during, and after using it to help keep things moving.
6. Ignoring Slow Drains Until It’s Too Late
A slow drain is like your plumbing’s way of whispering, “Hey, something’s not right.” But most people shrug it off until that whisper turns into a full-blown shout — AKA a completely clogged drain.
When water drains slowly, it usually means a partial blockage is forming. If left alone, it will only get worse and become harder (and more expensive) to fix later on.
What to do instead: At the first sign of a slow drain, take action. A quick flush with hot water and baking soda, or even a plunger or drain snake, can often clear minor blockages before they become big problems. And if the problem keeps coming back, you’ll definitely want to call in a pro to take a look.
7. Skipping Routine Drain Maintenance
Out of sight, out of mind — that’s how most of us treat our drains. But skipping regular maintenance is one of the biggest reasons clogs sneak up on you.
Just because everything seems fine doesn’t mean your pipes are in the clear. Gunk, grease, and buildup can collect gradually, narrowing your pipes little by little until one day, you find nothing’s going down.
Routine maintenance helps keep things flowing and prevents those sudden, frustrating backups.
What to do instead: Make it a monthly habit to pour a mixture of hot water, baking soda, and vinegar down your drains to break up minor buildup. You can also schedule professional drain cleaning once a year to really keep things in check, especially if your home has older pipes.
Need an Expert to Fix a Clogged Drain in Seattle? We’ve Got Your Back
Clogged drains aren’t just random accidents; they’re often the result of everyday habits that seem harmless at the moment. Little behaviors like pouring grease down the sink and ignoring slow drains can add up to big plumbing problems.
Fortunately, most of these issues are totally preventable. With a few small changes to your daily routine and a little proactive maintenance, you can keep your drains flowing smoothly and avoid those frustrating, last-minute calls to fix clogged drain disasters.
And when you do need a hand — be it clearing a stubborn blockage, maintaining your plumbing, or even upgrading your water heater — Greenwood Heating and Home Services is just a call away. Our licensed team is here to keep everything running as it should, from the pipes under your sink to the water heater in your utility room.
Get in touch with us today for fast, reliable support you can count on.
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