How can I prevent clogged drains?
By the Drain Guru team · Updated September 27, 2026
Quick answer
Stop hair and grease at the source: fit hair catchers on showers and tubs, scrape grease into the trash, and keep food scraps out of the sink. Once a week, run hot water through each drain for a minute; once a month, clean stoppers and hair catchers. Clear slow drains early, before they become full clogs.
Five habits
- Hair catchers on every shower and tub drain.
- Grease goes in a can, never the sink.
- Scrape plates into the trash before rinsing.
- Only toilet paper goes in the toilet.
- Treat a slow drain as a warning and clear it that week.
Monthly routine
- Pull and clean bathroom sink stoppers.
- Empty hair catchers.
- Flush each drain with very hot tap water and dish soap.
- Run water in rarely-used drains to keep traps full.
- Check under sinks for drips.
Our free 12-month drain maintenance calendar turns this into a printable fridge checklist.
More questions
Should I pour boiling water down the drain every week?
Very hot tap water is enough. Boiling water can soften PVC joints and crack porcelain toilets.
Related answers
General information only. Plumbing codes, prices and landlord-tenant laws vary by location. For gas, electrical, sewer-line or structural problems, contact a licensed professional.