With spring storms approaching, cities across many regions are ramping up storm drain maintenance to reduce the risk of street flooding. Heavy rainfall can quickly overwhelm clogged inlets, backing water onto roads and sidewalks and increasing the chance of damage to nearby property.

Why storm drain cleaning matters

Storm drains are designed to move rainwater away from neighborhoods and critical infrastructure. When leaves, sediment, litter, and yard waste collect at curb inlets or along drainage channels, water can’t flow as intended. The result is slower runoff, higher water levels in low areas, and sometimes localized flooding during even moderate storms.

Maintenance also supports drainage system health by limiting corrosion, reducing blockages that can force crews to respond during emergencies, and improving overall efficiency—especially when rain events arrive back-to-back.

Main line rodding is a common preventive and corrective method used to clear obstructions in sewer and drain lines. For commercial properties, the “right” frequency isn’t one-size-fits-all—service intervals typically reflect how heavily the plumbing is used, what enters the system, and whether there are signs of recurring flow issues.

Below are the main drivers that determine how often a property should schedule main line rodding, along with practical benchmarks many facilities use to build a maintenance plan.

Start with usage and load

The frequency should rise as the property’s drainage load increases. Facilities with frequent showers, restrooms, kitchens, laundry operations, or high foot traffic tend to accumulate debris and grease faster. As a baseline, light-use sites may need less frequent attention, while higher-use sites often benefit from more proactive scheduling.

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Slow-draining showers are a common household problem, but the cause is rarely just one thing. Most clogs develop when hair, soap residues, and microorganisms combine to create stubborn buildup inside the drain line.

While the visible blockage may look like a single mass, it typically forms in layers: strands of hair catch debris, soap scum hardens into a sticky residue, and biofilm—an adhesive microbial layer—helps everything cling together.

Hair: the first layer of the clog

Hair is the main “starter” for many shower drain problems. As water runs over the shower floor, loose strands are carried toward the drain opening. Because hair is fibrous and resistant to breakdown, it can accumulate at key points such as the drain strainer, the curve of the pipe, or any narrowing sections.

Over time, hair mats trap additional particles—dead skin, lint, and small soap pa ... Read more »

Garbage disposals are designed to handle small food scraps—not entire meals, grease, or non-food items. When homeowners use disposals incorrectly, they can cause clogged drains, unpleasant odors, and even costly plumbing repairs.

Below are practical dos and don’ts to help you avoid drain clogs while keeping your disposal cleaner and more efficient.

Do: Feed it the right things

Run cold water before turning on the disposal, then feed small amounts of food at a time. Suitable items include soft food scraps like fruit and vegetable peels, small bits of cooked food, and leftover plant-based waste. Cutting larger scraps into smaller pieces can also help reduce strain and improve grinding.

Don’t: Put grease and oils down the drain

One of the most common causes of clogs is grease. Pouring cooking oil, fat, or even “small” ... Read more »