• For maintenance or moderately clogged drains – Pour 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by 1/2 cup of distilled white vinegar. The two ingredients interact with foaming and fumes so replace the drain cover loosely. Let it set about 3 hours before running hot water for a full minute.

• For slow drains due to grease build-up – Pour 1/2 cup table salt and 1/2 cup baking soda followed by a tea kettle of boiling water. Allow to sit overnight.

• Keep your drains clog-free – Use the following homemade, non-corrosive drain cleaner weekly. Combine 1 cup baking soda, 1 cup table salt, and 1/4 cup cream of tartar. Stir ingredients together thoroughly and pour into a clean covered jar. Pour 1/4 cup of mixture into drain and immediately add 1 cup boiling water. Wait 10 seconds then flush with cold water. Flushing weekly with a generous amount of boiling water also works well.

• Always run disposal prior to every dishwasher use. Only use cold water when running the disposal. Be sure to wipe all hair from bathroom showers, tubs and sinks to prevent it from entering drains.  Check bathtub and sink stoppers every three months for hair and soap buildup that can clog drains.

• Clean the Grinder or Blades – Pour at least 2 cups of ice cubes into the disposal, followed by 1 cup of plain salt or distilled white vinegar. Then run disposal for 5 to 10 seconds with cold water until dissolved. The ice will clean off sludge or particles off the blades, while salt or vinegar will reduce foul odors.

• Empty the Drain Pipe – Take preventative measures and rinse down any particles from the garbage disposal’s drainage system. Plug kitchen drain with the stopper, fill the entire sink with water and a few drops of dish detergent, then release the plug and let the water drain while running the disposal at the same time. Gravity and the weight of the water will rinse the disposal and clear pipe debris.

• Disposals are not an alternative food waste receptacle – Always scrape grease and food scraps into the trash before rinsing dishes. Never pour grease, coffee grinds, chicken or onion skins, cooked rice or bones down your kitchen drain. If you can’t chew it, neither can the disposal.

• If the toilet clogs, use a plunger specifically designed for toilets. If it starts to overflow the bowl, turn off the water supply behind to toilet until the clog is cleared and the bowl empties.

• Automatic cleaners dropped within the tank may cause deterioration of toilet parts and are not recommended in some buildings in the Pearl.

• Note that disposable “flushable” wipes do cause blockages. They should never be placed in the toilet or other drains. The same goes for dental floss, tampons and pads, condoms, paper towels, diapers of any size/type, and kitty litter.

Pay Attention to Gurgling Noises

A gurgling noise may be indicative of an issue. Two examples of such are as follows:

• A dried-out P-trap. This can be avoided if you periodically run water from all your fixtures (this also prevents sewer smells from entering the unit), especially in guest baths that may rarely be used. 

• A clog. Homeowners have reported intermittent gurgling, then cessation, when their shower was running. A plumber was called out for a precautionary snaking and a sizable hair clog was removed, after which the drain flowed correctly.

• Check and maintain shower and bath tile, stone and grout, paying particular attention to all joints in the tile-to-tub-deck locations.

• Depending on usage, but not less than once a year, inspect the shower drain(s) to ensure the drain is free and clear of deposit buildup, including soap scum and mineral deposits.  

• Maintain the sealer on bathroom tile and grout. Reapply sealer at least once every year.

• Glazed tile products should be cleaned routinely with an all-purpose, non-oil based household or commercial cleaner. The product chosen should also be grout joint cleaning compatible.

• Routine cleaners should never contain acids or ammonia. Acids can damage the grout and the glazed surface of the tile, and ammonia can discolor the grout.

• Natural stone, such as marble, should be cleaned with neutral cleaners. Stone cleaners should never contain acid or bleach.  Only use neutral pH cleaners specifically designed for cleaning stone.

• Squeegeeing your shower walls, floor, and surfaces is an important step toward removing excess moisture and humidity which can lead to the formation of mold, mildew and chemical build up.  Daily squeegeeing of your shower door will be a great help to its appearance.

• Run bathroom exhaust fans when showering or bathing to minimize humidity levels. Doing so greatly improves the air quality and comfort in your home and will help to prevent the formation of mold.

• Check plumbing connections periodically to identify potential leakage.

• Clean bathroom exhaust grill and interior duct annually or more frequently as needed.