Those plastic traps are a nightmare, right? I’ve replaced more than a few over the years, and it’s always a toss-up whether they’ll actually seal up again or just start leaking somewhere new. I’ve had tenants try the baking soda and vinegar trick too—sometimes it helps, but honestly, if there’s a real clog, it usually just fizzes and makes a mess.
One thing I started doing is keeping a little zip-it tool handy (those cheap plastic things with the teeth). They’re surprisingly good at pulling out the gunk before it becomes a full-on blockage. Not glamorous, but it beats taking apart the whole trap. Prevention’s definitely the way to go though... strainers in every sink and a gentle reminder to folks not to pour grease down the drain. Still, every now and then you get that mystery clog that just refuses to budge. At that point, I’m with you—call in someone who actually knows what they’re doing before it turns into a bigger headache.