Property Management Preventative Maintenance - Proper Kitchen Drains “Etiquette”

In the bustling hub of property management and condo living, where space is at a premium and maintenance is paramount, understanding the nuances of kitchen drainage systems is essential for smooth operations and happy residents. So, whether you're a seasoned condo owner, a property manager juggling multiple units, or simply curious about maintaining your kitchen infrastructure, keep on reading to ensure your condo kitchen drains stay clear, and functional for years to come.

Understanding Condo Kitchen Drain Systems

Before diving into proper usage, it's crucial to grasp the basics of condo kitchen drain systems. Unlike standalone homes, condominiums often feature shared plumbing infrastructure, which can present unique challenges and considerations. In multi-unit buildings, kitchen drains typically connect to a central plumbing system shared by multiple residents. Understanding this interconnected network is key to maintaining proper drainage and preventing backups.

A backed-up drain causes an unsightly mess, odour and possible flood damages. It also causes costly plumbing costs, but most importantly, unpleasant cleanup and inconvenience in your homes.

Dos and Don'ts of Condo Kitchen Drain Usage

Everyone wants to save the earth; no one wants to help mom with the dishes - P.J. O’Rourke

Never, ever pour oils or grease down your drains. These products are thick in nature and not water-soluble. Over time, they collect and stick to the inner walls of the pipes, eventually forming a thick membrane of gunk along with other food particles causing solid blockages that prevent proper drainage. Always use your sink stoppers when preparing foods. More effective than kitchen sink stoppers are kitchen sink strainers/screens.

Choose the right drain maintenance chemicals. Not all drain pipe cleaning chemicals are right for high rise condos. Residents should consult property management about what chemicals are recommended and which ones can cause damage to the condo’s drainage system.

Avoid garburators. Garburators are not to be used in condominiums since all the processed food is then disposed down your kitchen drains causing clogging of the building pipes. Although garburators are commonly used in single dwelling family homes; they are not to be used in residential buildings.

Keep your pipes free from fat. Not everything that goes down the drain makes it all the way to the wastewater treatment plant. Fats, oils, and grease poured down the drain or flushed down the toilet can stick to your home’s sewer pipes and lead to costly blockages.

Myth-busting facts about grease disposal:

Myth #1: It’s okay to pour grease down the drain with lots of hot water.

Fact: Once grease cools it resolidifies in your pipes, possibly further down the line where it gets more expensive to fix!

Myth #2: Dish soap breaks down grease

Fact: Dish soap only breaks up grease temporarily. Like using hot water, grease and fat will re-solidify in your pipes.

How to dispose of grease properly:

• Never pour grease down sink drains or toilets.

• Liquid cooking oils (e.g. from a deep fryer) can be poured into a sealable container and dropped off at the ground floor garbage room (located at the back of the building). It is best not to throw it down the garbage chute.

• Scrape solidified grease and food scraps from your plates, utensils, pots, pans, food preparation area, and cooking area into your organic garbage.

• Place a strainer in your sink to catch food scraps and other solids. Dispose of grease and food scraps in your organic garbage.

• Use a paper towel to wipe up grease and dispose of the paper towel in your organic garbage.

• Be careful when using a commercial cleaner or detergent which claims to dissolve grease as they may only transport the problem further down your pipes.

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Helping your condo community to maintain healthy drain pipes will: Reduce and possibly eliminate the risks of unpleasant kitchen sink backups or floods in residential suites; reduce plumbing costs and resident’s maintenance fees; and bring peace of mind to residents and property management.

-Stratastic Inc.

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