I hear you on the old pipes—mine are from the 60s and I get nervous even looking at a hand auger. I’ve actually had a mesh catcher rust out and leave little bits behind, which was a pain to clean up. The silicone ones with the weighted edge have been decent for me, but I guess it’s hit or miss depending on the sink shape. I do the boiling water trick too, though I skip the baking soda if I’m in a rush. It’s not perfect, but it beats calling a plumber every few months.
Weighted silicone strainers are a decent compromise, but I’ve found they don’t always sit flush in every sink—especially those with a bit of a curve or an older lip. Sometimes I’ll see tenants just toss them aside because stuff still sneaks through the gap. For what it’s worth, I’ve had better luck with the stainless steel ones that have a fine mesh and a solid rim, though they do need to be replaced every couple years when they start to corrode.
About the boiling water trick—just a heads up, it can be risky with really old pipes, especially if they’re PVC or have any weak joints. I’ve seen a few cases where repeated boiling water actually softened the pipe glue and led to leaks. Not common, but it’s something to keep in mind. I usually recommend a mix of hot (not boiling) water and a bit of dish soap as a safer routine maintenance step.
If you’re dealing with slow drains, enzyme-based cleaners can help too. They’re not instant, but they’re less harsh than chemical drain openers and seem to keep things flowing longer between clogs.
Weighted silicone strainers never quite did it for me, either. I get the appeal—they’re easy to clean and supposedly universal—but in my case, they always seemed to float up or shift just enough to let stuff slip through. I actually think the “solid rim” stainless mesh ones can be hit or miss too, though. Maybe it’s my sink (mid-90s install, nothing fancy), but unless I’m really careful, even those don’t always sit flush. Plus, when they start corroding, they leave weird marks around the drain that are a pain to scrub out.
I know there’s a lot of caution about boiling water and old pipes, but honestly, I think it gets overblown sometimes—at least with modern PVC. My plumber said occasional boiling water isn’t going to melt anything unless you’re dumping pot after pot every day. That said, I totally get being cautious if your plumbing is ancient or if you’ve had repairs done with questionable glue... but for most people, a kettle now and then probably won’t cause much harm. Still, I see the logic in sticking with hot tap water and soap for regular maintenance. It’s not as dramatic as “boiling away the gunk,” but it’s probably safer in the long run.
Enzyme cleaners are kind of a mixed bag for me. They work, but only if you’re patient and consistent about using them. If you’ve already got a slow drain, I find they’re more like a preventive than a fix. Once there’s a real clog, I usually end up snaking it anyway—those little plastic drain snakes are cheap and surprisingly effective. Not glamorous, but at least you know what you’re dealing with.
Funny enough, my biggest win was just getting everyone in the house to stop rinsing coffee grounds down the sink. That alone cut down on half our problems... who knew?
Weighted silicone strainers are a pain, honestly. I’ve seen way too many folks think they’re the magic answer, but like you said, they just don’t stay put. I’m with you on the mesh ones too—they corrode and leave those ugly rings, and then you’re scrubbing with Bar Keepers Friend every other week. I’ll take a cheap plastic basket strainer that actually fits over anything fancy.
Boiling water is fine if you’ve got newer pipes, but I’ve seen old ABS or makeshift repairs get wrecked by it more than once. People underestimate how many DIY jobs out there used the wrong glue or pipe type... it’s wild. I’m curious, has anyone tried those “hair trap” style strainers in the kitchen? I know they’re meant for shower drains, but I’ve seen a couple people swear by them for food scraps. Seems weird, but maybe it works?
Weighted silicone strainers really are more trouble than they’re worth—half the time I see them, they’re just floating around or jammed sideways. The mesh ones, yeah, they corrode fast if you’ve got hard water or use a lot of cleaning chemicals. I’ve seen folks try to “upgrade” to stainless mesh and still end up with rust stains.
About those hair trap style strainers in the kitchen... I’ve only seen them used a couple times, and honestly, I’m not convinced. They tend to catch everything, but then you’re left with a soggy mess that’s harder to clean out than a regular basket strainer. Plus, some of them don’t sit flush in a kitchen sink, so scraps sneak right under. Has anyone actually found one that fits well and doesn’t slow down drainage? Or maybe there’s a specific brand that works better for food than hair? I’m curious if it’s just a gimmick or if there’s something to it.
On the boiling water thing—totally agree. I’ve seen old ABS fittings literally warp from repeated hot water dumps. Makes me wonder how many people have hidden leaks because of that...