Restaurant kitchen shut down after messy plumbing fiasco - thoughts?

Had a tenant once who thought dumping boiling water down the kitchen sink would clear up a slow drain. Pipes were probably from the 60s - copper, thin as paper in spots. Next thing I know, there’s water dripping into the unit below and a repair bill that made my eyes water. Quick fixes like that almost always backfire, especially in older places.

Here’s what I tell folks now: first, don’t pour anything extreme down the drain, hot or chemical. Second, schedule a real inspection every year or two, even if things seem fine. Grease traps are a big one - if you’re running a kitchen, get those cleaned on a regular schedule, not just when there’s a backup. It’s way cheaper to pay for maintenance than to deal with a shutdown and repairs.

Hydro-jetting does sound intense, but sometimes it’s the only thing that’ll actually clear out years of gunk. Just gotta make sure the pipes can handle it - older lines might need a gentler approach. Prevention beats panic every time.

Honestly, I get the caution about boiling water, but I’ve actually used it for minor clogs in newer PVC pipes without issues. Wouldn’t risk it on old copper though - seen those go soft way too easily. For me, a plunger and a drain snake are the safest bets before calling anyone in. Hydro-jetting sounds overkill unless you’re dealing with years of buildup or a commercial kitchen. Regular maintenance is key, but sometimes simple tools do the trick if you’re careful.

I’ve actually tried the boiling water trick too, but only after running a bit of cold water first - just in case. Once, I poured it straight down and heard a weird creak from the pipes… freaked me out enough to switch to baking soda and vinegar most times. For me, it’s usually: 1) clear out any visible gunk, 2) try a plunger, 3) snake if needed, and 4) only then think about anything harsher. Hydro-jetting always seemed like bringing out the big guns unless you’re dealing with a restaurant-level mess. Curious if anyone’s had luck with enzyme cleaners? They seem gentler on pipes and the planet, but I’m not sure how well they work on tougher clogs.

Hydro-jetting always seemed like bringing out the big guns unless you’re dealing with a restaurant-level mess.

Totally get that. Hydro-jetting is wild - saw it in action once and it blasted years of gunk out of an old line, but yeah, probably overkill for home stuff. About enzyme cleaners: I’ve tried them on slow drains at home, and they’re decent for maintenance, but honestly, if there’s a chunk of grease or food stuck, they just don’t cut it fast enough. They’re great for keeping pipes clear after you’ve already dealt with the main clog, though.