How Often Should You Give Your Drains a Preventative Snaking?

Let’s be honest, the thought of snaking a drain probably ranks right up there with cleaning the gutters or organizing the garage—it’s one of those out-of-sight, out-of-mind tasks we’d all rather forget. But just like changing the oil in your car, a little preventative maintenance on your drains can save you from a major, messy headache down the line. So, how often should you actually do it? The answer, like many things in homeownership, is: it depends on your household.

There isn’t a single, universal timeline that works for every home. Think of your drains as the unsung heroes of your house, quietly whisking away everything from soap scum and hair to cooking grease and toothpaste. Some families ask more of these heroes than others. A good rule of thumb for the average home is to consider a preventative snaking every one to two years. This is a solid starting point for keeping slow-moving drains from becoming completely clogged drains.

However, your household’s specific habits are the biggest clue. If you have a busy home with several people, especially ones with long hair, you’re naturally sending more debris down the shower and sink drains. In that case, leaning toward the annual side of that schedule is wise. Bathroom sinks and shower drains are the most frequent culprits for hair and soap buildup, so they might whisper for attention sooner than others. For kitchen sinks, your cooking routines are key. If you’re diligent about never pouring fats or oils down the drain and using a sink strainer, you might get away with longer intervals. But if you cook with a lot of grease or have a garbage disposal that sees heavy use, that kitchen line may need a yearly check-in.

You should also listen to what your drains are telling you. There are clear warning signs that it’s time to break out the snake, regardless of your schedule. If you notice water draining slower than usual—that telltale gurgle in the sink or a shower that leaves you standing in an inch of water—that’s your drain crying out for help. A preventative snaking is meant to stop these symptoms before they start. Ignoring them is a surefire way to end up with a complete blockage, and possibly a call to a plumber that costs significantly more than a simple hand-crank auger from the hardware store.

Don’t forget about your main sewer line, either. This is the big pipe that carries all your home’s wastewater out to the city sewer or your septic tank. This line is vulnerable to tree root intrusion and buildup from everything in your house. A preventative snaking of this main line every two to three years is excellent insurance, especially if you have older trees near your sewer line. It’s a bit more involved than a sink drain, but preventing a sewer backup into your home is worth the effort.

Ultimately, preventative snaking is about proactive care. Starting with a two-year schedule and adjusting based on your household’s activity is a perfect approach. Pay attention to the early warning signs of slow drainage, and don’t be afraid to snake a drain a little early if you know you’ve put it through a lot. Keeping a simple drain auger in your utility closet empowers you to tackle small issues before they become big problems. Your drains work hard for you every day; a little occasional care ensures they’ll keep doing their job quietly and efficiently for years to come.