A Few Gallons of Prevention

 Recently and in the past, we have had several water drain disasters.

In several cases the main drain was clogged. Water from the upstairs unit was unable to drain properly. The kitchen wastewater then causes the downstairs kitchen sink to overflow. 

The cause is simple. Grease and other debris such as egg shells collect in the drainpipe below the lower level. 

Here's what you can do to mitigate grease and waste build-up. 

• - Don't pour bacon grease down the sink. Put it aside, freeze it, and put it in a zip lock bag for trash.
• - Minimize what is put into the disposer. Larger waste should be placed on the trash.
• - Several times a year, fill your sink with hot-soapy water. Wear gloves so you can pull the stopper. Run the disposer to help force the hot water down the drain.

The people on the upper level will not know that lower levels are flooding. So, if your unit is downstairs, it more important that drain is clear. 

Photo shows the sink after we bailed several gallons. The sink was overflowing on to the floor. Note water in the flip-drawers, and on the floor. There was no key in the lockbox for this unit. After several phone calls, the door code was obtained. 
The residents upstairs had no idea of the chaos downstairs. 

The water on the floor found its way to the unit below where it dripped down their ceiling lamps.

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