It’s all fun and games until your sink sounds like it’s trying to talk back.
At Green Casa Property Management, we’ve seen things. From spaghetti clogs in brand-new dishwashers to soap-scum volcanoes erupting in tenant showers. And if there’s one truth we’ve learned in this business, it’s this:
The health of your property often starts with what you can’t see, like your drains.
Here’s what landlords and renters need to know about the weird, wonderful (and sometimes gross) world of sewer and drainage issues and how a little care can save a lot of money.
🚽 The Bathroom: More Than Just Tile and Towels
On the surface, it looks great. Clean tiles. Modern sink. Stylish shower head. But behind the walls? A different story.
Common Sewer Problems in Bathrooms:
- Slow-draining tubs or showers: Often caused by hair buildup or soap residue.
- Gurgling toilets: A sign of venting issues or deeper sewer line trouble.
- Water pooling around the toilet base: Not just gross it could mean a loose seal or worse.
One Green Casa tenant once reported “a weird smell every time I turned on the fan.” Turns out, a dry p-trap under a rarely used bathtub was allowing sewer gas to seep up into the bathroom, a simple fix, but one that went unnoticed for months.
🍳 The Kitchen: Where Clogs Are Cooked Up Daily
Tenants love to cook. We love that they love to cook. But you’d be amazed at what people put down the sink.
We’re talking:
- Cooking grease (which hardens like concrete in pipes)
- Coffee grounds (small but mighty cloggers)
- Rice and pasta (they expand, remember?)
- Eggshells (they don’t “sharpen” garbage disposals, they wreck them)
A few months ago, a rental kitchen in SW Calgary had a mysterious flood. No one could figure out where the water was coming from until we discovered a long-forgotten garbage disposal jammed with chicken bones and lemon peels. The tenants thought it was self-cleaning. (Spoiler: it’s not.)
⚠️ The Big Risks of Ignoring Small Plumbing Issues
Here’s the truth: Most drain problems don’t happen overnight.
They build slowly, silently, behind your walls. Until suddenly, they don’t.
If you’re a landlord, here’s what’s really at stake:
- Water damage to cabinets and floors
- Mold and mildew growth
- Upset tenants (and potential insurance claims)
- High emergency plumbing costs
We’ve seen a $90 service call turn into a $4,000 restoration job, all because a slow drain was ignored for too long.
🛠️ How Green Casa Handles Drain Drama
Our team doesn’t just respond, we prevent.
Here’s how we keep Calgary rentals running smoothly:
✅ Seasonal plumbing checks (yes, sewer lines can freeze!)
✅ Tenant education (our welcome kits include “what not to flush”)
✅ 24/7 emergency response
✅ Routine drain inspections in multi-family units
✅ Coordination with licensed plumbers for fast, fair service
We act fast, communicate clearly, and always try to fix the problem before it becomes a disaster.
👂 Real Talk from a Green Casa Property Manager:
“You can tell a lot about a property by how the water moves. Slow drains aren’t just annoying; they’re a red flag. We take them seriously because we’ve seen what happens when they’re ignored.”
🧼 Tips for Tenants (and Owners Who Want Happy Tenants):
- Don’t pour grease down the sink. Ever. Put it in a can, let it harden, and toss it in the trash.
- Use drain strainers; they’re cheap and prevent hair buildup.
- Report slow drains early; it’s not “normal.”
- Don’t use Drano every month; it can damage pipes in the long term.
- Flush only what’s flushable. If you’re not sure, throw it out.
🏡 The Green Casa Way
We believe that a healthy home starts with the details, like clear drains, well-sealed toilets, and kitchens that don’t bubble like lava when the dishwasher runs.
Our promise to Calgary landlords and tenants?
💚 We’ll handle the mess, so you don’t have to.
Whether you own a single rental unit or manage a 20-plex, we treat your property like it’s ours because your investment deserves nothing less.
🚿 Ready to Drain the Drama?
Partner with Green Casa Property Management and keep your bathrooms and kitchens running right with less stress, fewer surprises, and no late-night sewer emergencies.
