Proper drain maintenance is an important part of keeping water flowing well in the unit's sinks and bathrooms. Drainage and sewage backups can result in a very unpleasant and costly mess in one's unit or neighboring units. Please take note of the items below to minimize clogs and prevent clogs in the waste water system.
Do not dump Grease or oil down the drain.
When grease and oil cool they solidify in the pipes causing a blockage. When maintenance staff attempt to clear the line with the cable snake the snake is only able to cut a small path through the blockage resulting in a restricted pipe that can be easily blocked again.
Keep Screens over your shower and tub drain to keep hair from clogging the line.
In showers hair is the most common cause of clogs and slow drains. Use screens over the drain to minimize issues.
Do not use Acid Based drain clearing products (Drano)
Acid based drain openers are not safe for the metal pipes that exist in the building and can result in hundreds of dollars of damage to your pipes and the building's pipes.
This product is also very harmful to humans particularly staff who may need to work on the pipes to clear the clog. This product will burn the skin of staff while they are trying to clear your clog. If you did use it prior to an employee or outside plumber working on your clog, please inform them so they can take the appropriate precautions to protect themselves.
Please call when the water begins to get slow.
The longer you wait the more difficult the clog will be to clear.
Use Enzyme products as regular maintenance.
Enzyme based drain clearing products are good for maintenance and will help cut grease and soap scum buildup. Using these product once per month can help keep your drains running smoothly. These products are less effective against hair so keep shower drains covered and clean hair out of the tub regularly.
Do Not Flush non flushable baby whipes or paper towels down the toilet.
Non-flushable paper products are too thick and do not fall apart in the water stream creating blockages in the line.
Thank you for your attention and cooperation with these guidelines. Using care in your showers and sinks will minimize service disruptions and help prevent unpleasant line backups for you and your neighbors.
Please call management to help get your drain cleared if you are experiencing problems. Also note owners are always welcome to bring in licensed plumbers to work on their units.