Winter can be rough on your home’s plumbing. Between freezing temperatures, holiday cooking, and increased indoor water usage, your drains take a beating. A clog in the middle of winter isn’t just an inconvenience—it can lead to burst pipes, costly repairs, and a plumbing nightmare you don’t want to deal with.
The good news is that a little winter drain cleaning can go a long way in preventing major issues. By keeping your drains clear and flowing, you can avoid backups, frozen pipes, and expensive emergency plumbing calls.
Let’s look at the best ways to protect your home’s plumbing during the colder months.
1. Keep Fats, Oils, and Grease Out of Your Drains
One of the biggest culprits of winter drain clogs is fats, oils, and grease (FOG). When warm, these substances may seem harmless, but as soon as they cool down in your pipes, they solidify, leading to major blockages.
What Can You Do?
- Dispose of grease properly.Instead of pouring it down the drain, collect it in a container and throw it in the trash.
- Use strainers in your sink.These prevent food particles and grease residue from slipping into your drain.
- Run hot water after washing dishes.A steady stream of hot water helps push small grease particles down the line, preventing buildup.
Did You Know? According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), FOG buildup is responsible for nearly 47% of all sewer overflows in the U.S. Keeping grease out of your drains can prevent major plumbing disasters.
2. Run Hot Water Regularly
Cold temperatures cause water and debris inside your pipes to thicken, increasing the risk of clogs. Running hot water through your drains is a simple but effective way to keep things moving.
Best Practices:
- Let hot water run for at least 30 seconds after using your sink, especially after washing greasy dishes.
- If you have slow drains, pour boiling water down once a week to help dissolve buildup.
- Use a mixture of hot water, baking soda, and vinegar once a month for a natural deep clean.
3. Watch Out for Frozen Pipes
When temperatures drop, water in your pipes can freeze, leading to potential cracks and bursts. A blocked or frozen drain can cause serious water damage in your home.
How to Prevent Freezing Pipes and Drains:
- On extremely cold nights, keep a slow trickle of water running from your faucets. Moving water is less likely to freeze.
- Insulate exposed pipes in colder areas like basements, garages, and crawl spaces.
- Keep cabinet doors open under sinks to allow warm air to circulate the pipes.
Pro Tip: If you suspect your drain pipes are starting to freeze, pour a mixture of hot water and salt down the drain. This can help melt small ice blockages before they become a bigger problem.
4. Be Careful with Holiday Waste
Winter months bring holiday gatherings, big meals, and more dishes being washed than usual. This also means more food waste, grease, and scraps going down the drain, often leading to clogs.
What NOT to Put Down the Drain:
- Potato peels, rice, and pasta– These expand with water and create a glue-like substance in your pipes.
- Eggshells and coffee grounds– These combine with grease to form solid blockages.
- Bones and fibrous vegetable scraps– Items like celery and corn husks can wrap around disposal blades, causing damage.
Better Disposal Options:
- Use the trash or compost bin for food scraps.
- Scrape plates before rinsing to reduce buildup.
- Run cold water when using the garbage disposal to help break down food properly.
5. Schedule a Professional Drain Cleaning Before Winter Hits
If you’ve had slow drains, frequent clogs, or gurgling sounds, your plumbing may already be struggling. A professional winter drain cleaning can clear out buildup before the freezing temperatures make things worse.
What a Professional Drain Cleaning Can Do:
- Remove hidden blockages deep in your pipes.
- Flush out accumulated grease, hair, and soap scum.
- Improve your plumbing’s overall efficiency and prevent unexpected backups.
A clogged drain in freezing weather is much harder to fix, so scheduling a drain cleaning in Ontario in advance can prevent an emergency plumbing situation when it’s least convenient.
Most of the drain clogs are caused by a buildup of grease, hair, soap, and debris. Regular drain cleaning can prevent these issues before they escalate.
6. Use Drain Covers and Strainers
One of the easiest ways to keep drains clog-free is to use drain covers and strainers. These simple tools catch hair, food, and debris before they enter your pipes.
Where to Use Drain Covers:
- Bathroom sinks and tubs– Prevents hair and soap scum buildup.
- Kitchen sinks– Keeps food particles and grease from entering the drain.
- Shower drains– Blocks hair, which is one of the leading causes of bathroom clogs.
Regularly cleaning your strainers ensures they continue to work effectively, keeping your plumbing clear and functioning properly.
7. Keep an Eye on Outdoor Drains and Gutters
Your outdoor drains and gutters play a huge role in preventing water buildup around your home. If they’re clogged with leaves and debris, melted snow and rainwater can’t drain properly, increasing the risk of water damage.
How to Maintain Outdoor Drains in Winter:
- Clear leaves and debris from gutters and downspouts.
- Check outdoor drains for blockages and clean them regularly.
- Ensure water flows away from your home to prevent foundation issues.
A little maintenance now can prevent costly repairs later.
8. Know When to Call a Professional Plumber
Even with the best preventative measures, drain issues can still happen. Some signs indicate you need professional help before the problem worsens.
When to Call a Plumber in Ontario, CA:
- Slow draining sinks and tubs that don’t improve with basic cleaning.
- Frequent backups in your kitchen or bathroom drains.
- Unpleasant odors coming from your drains.
- Gurgling sounds from pipes when using water.
Ignoring these signs could lead to major plumbing repairs. A quick, professional inspection can prevent a winter plumbing disaster.
The Risks of Ignoring Drain Cleaning in Winter
Neglecting winter drain cleaning may seem like no big deal, but it can lead to serious plumbing issues that are costly and inconvenient. Here’s what can happen if you ignore your drains this winter:
1. Persistent Clogs
A slow drain today can become a fully blocked pipe tomorrow. Over time, grease, soap scum, and debris accumulate, making it harder for water to flow. This leads to frequent backups and slow-draining sinks and tubs.
2. Pipe Damage and Bursts
Clogged pipes create increased pressure, which can cause cracks or full pipe bursts. This is especially dangerous in winter when water inside the pipes can freeze and expand. A burst pipe can cause extensive water damage, leading to costly repairs.
3. Sewer Line Backups
When multiple drains are slow or clogged, your main sewer line could be partially blocked. If ignored, this can lead to sewage backing up into your home, creating a health hazard and requiring emergency plumbing services.
4. Unpleasant Odors and Bacteria Growth
Standing water in clogged drains becomes a breeding ground for bacteria and mold. This can lead to foul smells in your kitchen or bathroom, affecting indoor air quality and potentially causing health issues.
5. Emergency Plumbing Costs
Ignoring small drain issues often leads to larger, more expensive plumbing emergencies. Emergency plumbing repairs cost significantly more than routine drain cleaning. Taking preventive steps now can save you money and stress in the long run.
Conclusion: A Little Maintenance Goes a Long Way
Winter can be harsh on your plumbing, but with regular winter drain cleaning, you can prevent costly clogs, backups, and potential pipe damage. Simple habits like keeping grease out of the sink, running hot water, and properly disposing of food waste can make a big difference in keeping your drains clear. Ignoring small drain issues can lead to bigger, more expensive problems, including burst pipes and sewer backups.
Using a professional drain cleaning service in Ontario before winter sets in can help clear out buildup and ensure smooth drainage throughout the season. If you notice slow drains, foul odors, or frequent clogs, don’t wait for the problem to escalate. Sweetwater Plumbing is here to help with expert drain cleaning and emergency plumbing services to keep your home running smoothly.
Don’t Let Clogged Drains Ruin Your Winter – Call Sweetwater Plumbing for Winter Drain Cleaning
Winter is tough on your plumbing, but with the right precautions, you can keep your drains clear and running smoothly. Whether you need routine winter ontario ca drain cleaning or help with a stubborn clog, Sweetwater Plumbing has you covered. We also provide water heater installation ontario ca and water heater service ontario ca to ensure your system runs efficiently all winter.
We offer:
✔ Expert drain cleaning services to remove grease, hair, and debris.
✔ Emergency plumber ontario services for unexpected backups or frozen drains.
✔ Affordable solutions to keep your home’s plumbing in top shape, including tankless water heater repair ontario and gas pipe repair rancho cucamonga.
Schedule your winter drain cleaning today! Call Sweetwater Plumbing now to ensure your home’s plumbing stays clog-free all season long in Claremont, Ontario, Chino, and the neighboring areas. We proudly serve with services like water heater installation chino, water heater repair upland, leak detection rancho cucamonga, sewer line repair pomona, emergency plumber riverside, and water heater replacement rancho cucamonga.
