Tourism in San Diego County has been booming, and a big portion of visitors stay in vacation rentals along our beautiful coastlines—from La Jolla and Mission Beach to Pacific Beach and Coronado. While these properties are often upgraded with modern, water-efficient plumbing fixtures, clogged drains remain one of the most common headaches for Airbnb and vacation rental owners.
The challenge? Guests don’t always treat your property with the same care as their own. Hair, grease, sand, wipes, and even toys can find their way into the plumbing system—leading to backups, unhappy tenants, and negative reviews.
To help protect your property and keep your guests happy, here are 10 drain cleaning tips for vacation rentals in San Diego.
1. Install Drain Screens in Sinks and Showers
Hair, soap scum, and sand are common causes of bathroom drain clogs, especially in beach rentals near Pacific Beach, Mission Beach, and La Jolla. A simple, inexpensive drain screen can catch debris before it enters your pipes.
2. Educate Guests with Simple Signage
A friendly reminder in the bathroom can go a long way. Post a note asking guests not to flush wipes, cotton pads, or hygiene products down the toilet. Many short-term guests are unaware of how easily San Diego’s older cast iron plumbing systems can clog.
3. Keep a Plunger in Every Bathroom
Toilets in vacation rentals get heavy use. Providing a plunger gives guests a first line of defense for small clogs and may save you from a late-night emergency call.
4. Provide a Kitchen Grease Container
Grease and oil poured down the drain quickly lead to clogs. Supply a small container or jar in the kitchen where guests can dispose of grease safely before tossing it in the trash.
5. Run Hot Water Through Drains Regularly
Encourage guests (or your cleaning crew) to run hot water for a minute or two after heavy sink use. Hot water helps melt away grease and soap scum buildup in kitchen and bathroom drains.
6. Keep an Auger On Hand
Sometimes plungers aren’t enough. A hand-powered drain snake can clear clogs 2–5 feet into the pipe, making it useful for retrieving hairballs, small toys, or other items.
7. Avoid Chemical Drain Cleaners
Chemical drain cleaners can damage pipes and corrode older plumbing systems—something that’s common in historic San Diego neighborhoods like North Park, Hillcrest, and La Jolla. Stick with mechanical methods (plunger, auger, hydro jetting by a pro) instead.
8. Schedule Regular Professional Drain Cleaning
High guest turnover means more wear and tear. Preventative drain cleaning or hydro jetting once or twice a year can save you from bigger emergencies and extend the life of your plumbing.
9. Get a Sewer Camera Inspection for Recurring Issues
If you notice repeated clogs, especially in multiple drains at once, the problem may be in your main sewer line. A sewer camera inspection can spot root intrusion, collapsed pipes, or improper slope—issues common in older San Diego homes.
10. Partner with a Local San Diego Plumber
Having a trusted, licensed plumber on call is the best insurance policy for your rental business. Carini Home Services has been serving San Diego property owners for over 20 years, offering same-day plumbing repairs, drain cleaning, sewer inspections, and same day emergency services.
Final Thoughts
Clogged drains can ruin a guest’s experience and damage your rental’s reputation. With the right preventative steps and quick solutions, you can keep your property running smoothly and avoid costly plumbing emergencies, using these 10 drain cleaning tips for vacation rentals.
If you own or manage a vacation rental in San Diego, Carini Home Services is here to help with expert drain cleaning and plumbing solutions tailored to Airbnb and VRBO properties. We also partner with local HOAs and Property Managers, making Carini Home Services the smart choice for all your HVAC, plumbing, and electrical services.
Call Carini today for reliable vacation rental plumbing in San Diego.