Enjoy a carefree Kiwi summer with these tips to avoid kitchen drain blockages.
The holiday season in New Zealand is all about summer BBQs, baking, and big family meals — but it’s also the time of year when blocked kitchen drains spike. With more cooking, more dishes, and more guests, your plumbing system works overtime. A few simple habits can help keep everything flowing smoothly and prevent inconvenient (and sometimes costly) callouts.
Here’s our expert advice to avoid blocked kitchen drains this festive season.
1. Keep Fats, Oils & Grease Out of the Sink
Fats, oils, and grease are the number one cause of kitchen blockages. When hot, they seem harmless — but once they cool down, they solidify inside your pipes and build up over time.
What to do instead:
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Let fats cool and scrape them into the bin.
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Use paper towels to wipe down pans before washing.
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Pour used cooking oil into a container and dispose of it properly.
2. Watch What Goes Down the Waste Disposal
If you have a waste disposer, it’s not a ticket to put everything down the sink. Some foods can jam, dull blades, or create sludge that clogs pipes.
Avoid putting down the disposal:
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Coffee grounds
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Eggshells
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Pasta, rice & bread (they swell with water)
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Fibrous foods like celery, corn husks, or onion skins
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Large fruit stones or bones
Tip: Run cold water for 10–15 seconds before and after using the disposal to flush waste through.
3. Use Sink Strainers to Catch Food Scraps
An inexpensive sink strainer can prevent most common blockages. It catches food particles before they enter the drain, especially when hosting big family meals or BBQ prep.
Empty it into the compost or bin regularly to keep water draining freely.
4. Don’t Rinse Large Food Scraps Down the Sink
Before rinsing plates, scrape leftovers straight into the bin or compost. Even tiny food particles accumulate quickly when the kitchen is busy.
If you’re hosting Christmas lunch or a New Year’s gathering, set up a “scrape plate” station to avoid overloading the sink.
5. Give Your Drains a Gentle Flush
Over the holidays, your sink will get more use than usual. A simple weekly flush can help keep pipes cleaner.
Try this:
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Run hot water down the drain for 30 seconds after heavy cooking.
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For a natural freshen-up:
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Add ½ cup baking soda
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Follow with 1 cup white vinegar
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Let it fizz for 5–10 minutes, then flush with hot water
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This helps break down grease and prevent odours — great before guests arrive.
6. Don’t Ignore Slow Draining Sinks
A slowly draining sink is the first sign of a blockage forming. Catching it early can prevent a complete clog.
If you notice water draining slower than usual:
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Check and clean your sink strainer.
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Flush the drain with hot water.
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Avoid chemical drain cleaners — they can damage pipes and are often unsafe.
If the problem persists, it’s best to get a professional to clear it before the holiday rush.
7. Know When to Call a Plumber
If your sink is backing up, smells bad, or is draining extremely slowly, it may be a deeper blockage. Summer holiday guests + no working kitchen = stress no one needs.
Optum’s local plumbing team can quickly diagnose the issue and get your kitchen back on track — so you can focus on hosting, relaxing, or enjoying that Christmas pav.
Need Help with Blocked Drains This Summer?
Whether it’s a sudden blockage or you want to get ahead of problems, our team is here to help. Optum provides fast, reliable plumbing services across Otago — from blocked drains to full kitchen plumbing upgrades.
Get in touch and keep your home running smoothly this season.