Pipes are often forgotten until the day the water stops draining, or bad smells take over the kitchen or the bathroom. Yet cleaning and maintaining your pipes effectively is a simple habit that saves you a great deal of trouble and repair costs. With a few regular reflexes and the right products, your pipes will stay efficient, clean and odour-free. 

Why maintaining your pipes matters

Pipes play a vital role: they carry away the waste water, grease and residue from your home. When they are neglected, deposits form and end up blocking the flow of water.

The risks of neglecting maintenance
  • Recurring blockages: grease and food scraps stick to the walls.
  • Bad smells: residue sits there and breaks down.
  • Bacterial growth: damp and waste create ideal conditions for bacteria.
  • High costs: a completely blocked pipe may need a plumber.
The benefits of regular maintenance
  • Avoid expensive emergencies.
  • Extend the life of your waste system.
  • Keep your home healthy and odour-free.

The simple habits to adopt every week

1. Drain off grease and solids before they reach the sink

Never pour cooking oil, food scraps or ground coffee straight down the sink.
These materials set and create a greasy film that sticks to the inside walls of your pipes.

Common mistakes to avoid
  • Pouring used oil down the sink.
  • Throwing leftover sauce or soup straight down.
  • Not fitting a sink strainer.

💡 Tip: collect your used oil in an empty bottle and take it to a collection point.

2. Rinse with really hot water

Once a week, run very hot water (over 60°C) through each pipe. This helps dissolve grease and stops residue building up.

Why hot water helps dissolve grease

Heat thins the oils, stopping them sticking to the walls. It is a natural, cheap and environmentally friendly method.

3. Use the right Fulgurant product

For monthly maintenance, use a Fulgurant drain unblocker designed for the preventive care of pipes.
These products dissolve grease, hair and residue before they form a blockage.

Choosing the right product
For preventive maintenance:

    • A fast, effective product for the small everyday blockages.

    • A thick gel formula that works quickly without damaging your pipes.

    • Ideal for regular monthly maintenance.
    • A drain unblocker for basins, sinks, showers and baths.
Essential for the bathroom
    • Specifically formulated to dissolve hair and soap, the two main causes of blockages in the shower or the basin.

    • Suited to monthly use or to any moment when the flow slows down.
When the toilet is slow to drain

    • Made for toilets: a powerful formula that is still compatible with seals and porcelain.

    • Ideal as a cure for a toilet with a slow flow.

    • Lifts deposits without damaging the bowl.
Light weekly maintenance
    • Disinfecting, degreasing and deodorising action.

    • Perfectly suited to the weekly hot water rinse, to reinforce the cleaning effect.
Safety and precautions for use
  • Wear gloves and air the room well.
  • Never mix several chemical products.
  • Stick to the doses given on the label.
4. Protect the critical spots with strainers

Sink strainers and shower traps catch waste before it reaches your pipes. It is a simple habit, but a remarkably effective one.

Shower strainers and sink baskets

Choose models that are easy to remove and clean every week. That prevents hair, soap or crumbs building up.

5. The ideal maintenance frequency by area of the home
Type of maintenanceFrequencyRecommended actions
Lightonce a weekHot water + strainer
Standardonce a monthFulgurant product
Deep1 to 2 times a yearFull unblocking + check

Conclusion

Regular maintenance of your pipes is nothing complicated. By adopting the right habits, draining, rinsing, protecting and maintaining, you avoid costly breakdowns and bad smells.


Fulgurant products, combined with these simple reflexes, guarantee a free-flowing and hygienic waste system all
year round.

FAQ: everything you need to know about cleaning pipes

How often should you clean your pipes?

Every week with hot water, and once a month with a suitable maintenance product.

Can you use vinegar and bicarbonate of soda together?

Yes, it is an effective natural solution for dissolving light grease.

Are chemical products dangerous?

If they are used badly, yes. Always wear gloves and air the room.

Should you call a plumber if the flow is slow?

If the simple methods do not work, a professional is recommended to avoid damage.

Are used coffee grounds good for your pipes?

No, they build up and can cause blockages.