Our house (built late '60s) is built on a slab. The drain pipes are in the slab.

After 40 plus years we have a chronic issue with build-up in the drain pipes, causing the water in the kitchen sink to back up. This occurs about once a year. The solution is to force water into the pipe from outside the house, while one person pushes down HARD on the drain stopper inside the sink.

Yesterday, that solution didn't work and we had to call a plumber. After about 3 hours using a motorized snake, he was able to break through a hard blockage about 30 feet from the kitchen. The sink is now draining.

However... the plumber recommended a hydro-jet treatment on our pipes to clean out the blockage. He explained that the opening he was able to create last night is only as big as the diameter of the snake, whereas the hydro-jet treatment would destroy the rest of the clog and make a bigger opening.

We're planning to get a kitchen composter for food scraps (except chicken/meat/etc. which we'll put in the freezer until trash day), and put as little as possible down the garbage disposer. We're careful about this, but sometimes grease or other foods go down and eventually collect in the drain.

My questions are:

1. Has anyone had this hydro-jet treatment -- and was it effective?

2. What are some safe (non-toxic) and effective measures we can use on a regular basis to prevent clogs in the drain? The chemical drain cleaner we put in the drain yesterday morning squirted back into the sink and faucet, staining/etching the finish on the drain. There have to be safer alternatives.

Jen