Prevention is the best medicine, of course. In the kitchen, grease is the pipe's worst enemy. It coats the insides of the pipes and acts like glue for all the food particles that travel that way. Older homes have one-and-a-half inch pipes, making clogs more likely. Homes built in the last 30 years have two-inch pipes, which helps some.

Still, you should never pour oil, butter or grease of any kind into the kitchen drain. Put it in a coffee can and keep it in the refrigerator until it congeals and then dump it in the trash. Run cold water through the garbage disposal before and after tossing food into it. Cold water will help any grease or fat move on through and not melt and stick to the inside of the pipes. Once a week, you might run very hot water down the drain to help melt any build-up.

In the bathroom, the first line of action for a clog is a plunger. A plunger is the perfect clog-clearing tool, but few people know how to use it. Be sure you chose a plunger with a suction cup that covers the drain completely. Fill the clogged fixture with enough water to cover several inches of the plunger cup. Be sure to block off all other outlets like the overflow vent or a second drain in a double sink. Use a wet cloth or sponge to block off these outlets or water will shoot out all over you. Insert the plunger into the standing water so that you catch some air under it. Then use fifteen to twenty forceful strokes, holding the plunger upright. Repeat the process two or three times.

Plumbing snakes can be a great way of dealing with a clog that is further down in the pipe. They come in a variety of sizes and shapes to accommodate your needs. A snake is usually flexible and has an 'auger' on one end. There will also usually be a turning device to help you get thru the bends in the pipes and more easily grab the blockage. Talk to the people at your local hardware to get the correct size.

There is a lot of debate about chemical drain openers. Some people think they're worth a try. Others think they're a useless waste of money. If the system has a septic tank, these chemicals will kill all the necessary bacteria. In addition, chemical drain openers are the most dangerous household chemical, capable of causing great damage to skin and eyes and fatal if swallowed. And if there's a back-up, they can eat away at the finish on tubs, toilets and sinks.

If you do decide to use one of the chemical drain openers, put the plunger away lest you splash the caustic stuff on your skin or in your face and eyes. Instead of dangerous chemicals, you can try pouring a handful of baking soda down the drain, followed by a half-cup of white vinegar. Cover the drain tightly for one minute. The reaction between the two substances will cause pressure in the drain and dislodge any obstruction. Rinse with hot water afterwards. You can also try a quarter-cup of hydrogen peroxide down the drain. Wait a few minutes and then plunge. The hydrogen peroxide causes a bubbling action that may help loosen the clog. Failing these attempts, you'll probably have to call in a professional to get the drains running well once again.

Copyright 2005 PropertySource Network