Clogged drains are one of the most common plumbing complaints, and the cause is often different depending on which drain in the house is affected.
Bathroom Drains
Hair, soap residue, and toothpaste buildup are the usual culprits in bathroom sinks, tubs, and showers. Over time, these can combine into a stubborn clog that sits just below the drain opening.
Kitchen Drains
Grease, food scraps, and coffee grounds are common causes of kitchen sink clogs, especially when poured down the drain while still warm. Grease that seems liquid when hot can solidify inside the pipe as it cools. See our garbage disposal page if the clog seems connected to the disposal unit.
Deeper, Recurring Clogs
When a clog keeps coming back in the same spot, or multiple drains are affected at once, the cause is sometimes further down the line — a partial blockage, buildup, or in older homes, tree root intrusion into the sewer line. Our drain cleaning page covers when a professional inspection is worth considering.
A Quick Note on Chemical Drain Cleaners
These can sometimes clear a minor clog, but frequent use isn't always kind to older pipes and doesn't address whatever's actually causing a recurring problem.