Few things are worse than that feeling of terror that comes with watching a sink drain back up. You think: Is it just temporary? Will the water level go back down in a few seconds? Or do I need to prepare for a flooded kitchen? It's scary.

Fortunately, if such a thing ever happens, you've got experienced plumbers like those at Cocalico Plumbing and Heating in your court. We specialize in drain cleaning, so if you ever have to deal with the fallout from a clogged drain, we're the ones to call.

But drain cleaning is only the second best solution to the problem; the best solution is to make sure the problem never crops up in the first place. That means doing everything possible to avoid a clogged drain. While sometimes backups are beyond your control, most such problems can be fairly easily prevented. Here are just a few tips to prevent a clogged drain.

Strain that drain! If you don't have a garbage disposal, be sure to keep a strainer over your kitchen sink. A strainer will prevent bits of food and other debris from falling into the drain and creating an eventual clog.

Don't pour grease down the sink. Grease is Public Enemy Number One when it comes to keeping drains clear of clogs. Bacon grease or hot cooking oil poured into your drain can cool, harden, and catch other debris, creating a giant clot in the middle of your plumbing system's major arteries, causing the flow of water to slow or completely stop.

For that matter, don't pour anything that can harden down the drain. Plenty of substances behave like grease when poured down the drain: Paint, glue, and wax can cause clogs in exactly the same way that grease does. Your rule of thumb should be: If something is liquid when very hot and solid at room temperature, it's a bad idea to flush it down the drain.

Use baking soda and vinegar. You might be tempted to periodically pour a harsh drain blocker like Drano or Liquid Plumr into your sink, but products like these can destroy beneficial bacteria -- the kind that break down sewage -- as well as clogs. Try pouring a few tablespoons of baking soda mixed with half a cup of vinegar down the drain, and follow it up with a teakettle full of boiling water.

Learn to recognize an impending problem. If your sinks or bathtubs seem to be draining water more slowly than usual, there's probably a leak building somewhhere. When this happens, use a plunger or the above-mentioned baking soda mixture to try to dislodge the clog. If that doesn't work, it might be time to avail yourself of Cocalico's drain cleaning service.

Cocalico Plumbing and Heating offers a wide range of 24-hour plumbing services, including drain cleaning. But we do a lot more than that. We install new plumbing fixtures and maintain existing ones. We also install, maintain and repair heating, cooling and ventilation systems. We serve businesses and homes in Lebanon, Lancaster and Berks counties.