A clogged drain can throw off your entire day. Whether it’s standing water in the shower, a foul odor from the sink, or a toilet that won’t flush properly — these are all signs something’s wrong.
Drain clogs usually build up over time due to everyday habits. Once that happens, store-bought cleaners or plungers often aren’t enough.
In this blog, we’ll break down the most common causes of drain clogs and explain how a professional drain cleaning service can fix the problem for good—and help keep it from coming back.
1. Grease and Cooking Oil: The #1 Kitchen Culprit
You might rinse hot grease with water and assume it’s gone. It’s not. That grease cools, sticks to the inner walls of your pipes, and hardens. Over time, it creates a thick, sticky layer that traps food particles, eventually causing a full blockage.
Why It’s a Problem:
- Grease doesn’t just coat pipes; it also slows drainage.
- Once hardened, it’s nearly impossible to remove without professional tools.
- Store-bought drain cleaners won’t touch it.
How Pros Handle It:
Using hydro-jetting equipment, plumbing services blast high-pressure water through the pipes. This breaks up hardened grease and restores full flow without damaging your pipes.
2. Hair + Soap Scum: A Bathroom Time Bomb
Hair is notorious for clogging bathroom sinks, showers, and tub drains. Combine it with soap scum and product residue and you’ve got a tangled, slimy mess that clings to pipe walls.
What Makes It Worse:
- Long hair and shedding worsen the problem.
- Bar soap and shampoos leave fatty acids that harden with time.
- These blockages often form deep in the line.
Professional Drain Cleaning Fix:
Plumbers use drain snakes or motorized augers to break up and extract hair clogs. For deeper buildups, video inspections help pinpoint the blockage before using pressurized tools to clear the drain fully.
3. Food Waste and Garbage Disposals: Not All Scraps Are Safe
Even with a garbage disposal, not everything should go down your kitchen sink. Rice, pasta, potato peels, and coffee grounds swell and clump, forming hard-to-break masses that can jam your disposal or clog the drain line. So, always strain these items.
Red Flags:
- Strange odors from the sink
- Gurgling noises when draining
- Slow drainage despite using a disposal
What Professionals Do:
Plumbers first check the disposal for mechanical issues. Then they use drain augers or jetting to clear any clogs that have traveled deeper into the pipe.
4. Tree Roots in Sewer Lines: Nature’s Sabotage
Roots naturally seek moisture and your sewer lines provide plenty. Even the tiniest crack in an underground pipe is enough for roots to break in and grow. Once inside, they form thick webs that trap waste and block flow.
Signs This Is Happening:
- Frequent toilet backups
- Multiple clogged drains at once
- Foul smells in the yard or basement
The Fix:
A plumbing service provider uses camera inspections to locate root invasions. Then, root-cutting blades or hydro-jetting remove them. In extreme cases, trenchless pipe repair or pipe bursting may be necessary to replace damaged sections.
5. Flushing the Wrong Things
Toilets are designed to handle human waste and toilet paper. That’s it. Anything else such as flushable wipes, feminine hygiene products, cotton swabs, or paper towels, are non-flushable items and can stick to pipe walls and create stubborn blockages.
Things to Avoid Flushing:
- “Flushable” wipes (they don’t break down easily)
- Diapers or wipes
- Dental floss
- Hair
- Tissues and paper towels
How Plumbers Solve It:
They use toilet augers or power-assisted drain snakes to clear clogs deep in the drain line. Then, a camera inspection ensures the line is clear and undamaged.
6. Mineral Buildup from Hard Water
Another cause of drain clogs is hard water build up. If your area has hard water, calcium and magnesium deposits can slowly form inside your pipes. Over time, these minerals create a rough interior surface where debris and soap scum cling more easily.
What It Looks Like:
- White chalky buildup around faucets
- Reduced water pressure
- Frequent clogs despite no obvious cause
The Solution:
Plumbers may descale pipes using chemical treatments or mechanical tools. Installing a whole-house filtration system or water softener is another long-term fix that also protects appliances and water heaters.
7. Small Objects or Debris from Kids
It happens more often than you’d think—kids flush toys, crayons, or small objects down the toilet out of curiosity. These foreign items cause major clogs and often require hands-on removal.
Professional Fix:
Specialized plumbing tools like retrieval hooks, cameras, and augers are used to safely remove the item without damaging the pipe or needing invasive repairs.
8. Broken or Collapsed Pipes
Older homes may have outdated clay, cast iron, or even Orangeburg pipes that crack, sag, or collapse over time. When this happens, water flow is restricted or stopped altogether, and recurring clogs become the norm.
Signs of a Broken Pipe:
- Frequent backups despite cleanings
- Wet spots in the yard or foundation
- Strong sewer smell indoors or outdoors
How It’s Handled:
Trained plumbing service providers use video inspection to diagnose the issue. Depending on the damage, they’ll recommend trenchless repair, pipe relining, or complete pipe replacement.
9. Poor Pipe Installation or Sloping
If your home has poor pipe design — like flat areas with no slope or improper pipe sizes—it can cause frequent backups, even if you’re careful with what goes down the drain.
Fixing the Root Cause:
Professional plumbers will assess your plumbing system layout. In some cases, minor re-piping or adjusting the pitch of the pipes can solve chronic clog issues.
10. Laundry Lint and Detergent Residue
Most people don’t think about their washing machine drain, but lint, detergent buildup, and fabric softener residue can slowly clog the line. The issue gets worse if the home lacks a proper lint trap on the drain hose.
Signs to Watch:
- Slow drainage after running the washer
- Water backing up into nearby sinks or tubs
- Visible lint near the laundry room drain
Professional Solution:
A drain cleaning service will clear the clog and may recommend installing a mesh lint trap or adding a separate laundry drain filter to prevent future problems.
Why Store-Bought Drain Cleaners Aren’t the Answer
Chemical cleaners may give temporary relief, but they:
- Can’t remove solid debris like hair or roots
- Often corrode your pipes with repeated use
- Harm septic systems and groundwater
- Mask deeper plumbing issues
When to Call a Pro:
If you’re dealing with recurring clogs, multiple slow drains, or nasty smells—call a professional plumbing service provider. Regular plumbing services include affordable plumbing inspections, deep cleanings, and long-term fixes.
Why Professional Drain Cleaning Services Makes a Difference
Here’s what makes professional drain cleaning service a better choice than DIY:
- Thorough: Removes the entire blockage, not just the symptoms
- Safe: No damage to your pipes
- Fast: High-powered tools clear even the toughest clogs quickly
- Preventive: Helps avoid future problems and emergency plumbing bills
How Often Should You Schedule Drain Cleaning Service?
For most homes, once a year is a good rule of thumb. However, if your household has:
- A history of clogs
- Multiple family members
- Older pipes
- A large kitchen with lots of cooking and dishwashing
…then twice a year may be smarter.
Consult Plumbing Service Providers from Lords of Plumbing For Professional Drain Cleaning Services
At Lords of Plumbing, we know how frustrating a clogged drain can be. That’s why we offer fast, efficient, and affordable plumbing solutions for homeowners and small businesses. Our plumbing service providers have the tools to clear your pipes and keep them flowing.
Don’t let minor clogs turn into major damage. Our drain cleaning service in Culver City is designed to solve the problem right the first time — no shortcuts, no surprises.