Pvc near-fixture piping clogs regularly

We have under-sink pvc piping underneath 3 sinks. Every few months, they clog and I have to get down there, take it all apart, shove rags through every little piece to clear out the nasty bio-gunk.

Both my partner and I never had this issue in our parents’ houses growing up, never hear about it from our friends, etc. Does everyone have this problem a couple times a year? If so, what do y’all do? What is going on? Is it the pvc?
TIA.

workisfun

in Plumbing 3 years and 2 months ago

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cate | 3 years and 2 months ago

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Don’t know re PVC, seems unlikely but not sure. We take the same precautions you do and also we like to pour a bit of dish soap and very hot water down the drain when you finish washing dishes at the end of the day. We sometimes used to have our regular licensed plumbing drain experts clear the drains once a year just in case but haven’t done it lately. The grease that accumulates is pretty amazing. We have cast iron throughout.

andriywww1990 | 3 years and 2 months ago

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bob, with an on going problem, i think it is better to solve the issue than put drain cleaners into the pipes. i would worry about what they will do to the rest of the system, over time.

workisfun | 3 years and 2 months ago

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I snaked and I think I’ve got it. No other fixtures were stopped up. But, I’d still like to understand why I have to drudge out my pvc piping multiple times a year. Like I said, we’re pretty conscientious about how we interface with the home and its mechanicals. Thanks.

JohnHancock | 3 years and 2 months ago

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Maybe there’s another clog further down the line slowing the speed of drainage down and letting stuff accumulate faster. Try snaking further down perhaps

workisfun | 3 years and 2 months ago

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We are very careful to NOT let food down the drain. We have hair strainers and food strainers. No tea leaves, grease, etc. Definitely not more than what most people have, because we’re so cognizant of the persistent problem.

RobertGMarvin

in Plumbing 3 years and 2 months ago

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Can a chemical drain cleaner be safely used with PVC pipes?

stevecym | 3 years and 2 months ago

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Do you drink a lot of loose tea and pour it down the drain? Loose tea will clog drains. I clogged them in an office I worked this way. Takes a couple of months.