Why Does My Drain Keep Clogging? 8 Common Causes (And Fixes)
When your water starts taking a while to drain, you know there’s a problem. Slow-moving or standing water is usually a sign of a clog that seemingly comes out of nowhere. It may leave you wondering, why does your drain keep clogging?
If you’ve been dealing with this issue frequently, you likely have a deeper problem in your plumbing system that requires a more comprehensive approach. Fortunately, clogs are fairly easy to prevent and usually quick to resolve.
If you have a plumbing issue that can’t wait, like a backed-up drain or leaking pipe, our team at YES! offers emergency plumbing seven days per week. Call for immediate service.
Common Clog Causes: At-A-Glance
Cause | How it creates a clog | Prevention or next step |
|---|---|---|
Hair | Catches on pipe walls and traps debris. | Use a hair catcher and clear it regularly. |
Grease | Cools into a sticky coating that narrows drainpipes. | Throw cooled grease in the trash. |
Soap residue | Leaves a film that combines with hair and other buildup. | Clear strainers and use a gentle enzyme-based product. |
Food waste | Scraps can expand, stick, and collect in the pipe. | Scrape dishes into the trash before rinsing them. |
Foreign objects | Small items can lodge and block flow. | Keep objects away from drains; call a plumber for removal. |
Tree roots | Roots enter damaged sewer lines and catch passing waste. | Schedule a professional camera inspection and repair. |
Mineral buildup | Hard-water minerals can collect inside pipes and restrict flow. | Ask a plumber for next steps. |
Damaged sewer lines | Corrosion, cracks, or shifting can cause repeated backups. | Arrange a sewer-line inspection. |
8 Common Reasons for Clogged Drains (With Prevention Tips)
You may think drains would remain unclogged with running water going through them regularly. But various materials stick to pipes and won’t budge, even with moving water.
1. Hair
One of the biggest contributors to stubborn clogs is hair buildup, which is much more common in shower and bathtub drains. Hair can slide down the drain, grab onto the sides of a pipe, and never let go.
If you don’t have a hair catcher in your showers and tubs, now’s the time to get one for every bathroom. These tools have suction cups to stick to your tub or shower and trap hair before it clogs the drain.
2. Grease
Another serious issue with clogged drains is grease. Cooking oil, bacon grease, and animal fat in general are terrible for your drain because they’re sticky and resistant to water.
Grease doesn’t dissolve with a water rinse or a DIY solution of white vinegar and baking soda. The best way to prevent grease buildups is to keep it out of your sink.
3. Soap Residue
Soap may keep your hair and body clean, but it makes your pipes a real mess. Soap scum can build up in your pipes and can be oily or greasy. You can use gentle, enzyme-based pipe maintenance solutions monthly to remove any excess soap residue from your bathroom and kitchen sinks.
4. Food Waste
The best solution to keep food waste from clogging your pipes? Keep all of it out of the drain. Even a tiny bit of food can cause clogs within the plumbing system, which will add up fast if you don’t pay attention.
However, some foods are even worse. Noodles, pasta, and rice expand with water, so they’re more prone to cause clogs. Anything with butter or dairy is also a problem due to the higher fat content, which can cause grease to collect.
Get in the habit of scraping plates, cups, and bowls into the trash before rinsing to avoid these issues.
5. Foreign Objects
Why does your drain keep clogging if you don’t have problems with grease, soap scum, or food waste? You may have random foreign objects going down the drain. This issue is common in households with young children who drop random items down the sink for fun.
The only way to successfully dislodge a foreign object is to reach out to a plumber. They’ll use a camera to inspect the pipe, then use advanced tools to pull it out or push it through.
6. Tree Roots
Tree roots burrow deep beneath the earth to get access to vital nutrients. Unfortunately, this natural process can cause roots to grow into the pipes, resulting in major damage. The result is a clog that no amount of cleaning solutions or lifestyle changes can resolve.
This issue needs a professional eye. Our plumbing repair services include finding and removing tree roots so you can use the plumbing system without trouble.
7. Mineral Buildup
If your house has a hard water problem, it could be causing frequent drain clogs. Sediment buildup usually contains a mixture of calcium and magnesium, which makes it difficult for water to move through freely.
Reducing this problem usually involves installing a whole-house water softener. This unit dissolves most of the minerals from your water to keep your pipes clear.
8. Damaged Sewer Lines
Your sewer lines may suffer damage caused by rust, tree roots, or even old age. The only way to determine whether the sewer line is causing drain clogs is to call an experienced plumber to perform an inspection.
Dealing with any of these concerns? Contact YES! Now.
What Not to Put Down Your Drains
As mentioned, certain types of food and oils are especially problematic for drains. You should also avoid putting the following items down the drains in your home:
Hygiene products like diapers or pads
Paper towels
Harsh chemicals
Quick drain-disposal guide
Problem product | Why it causes trouble | Better choice |
|---|---|---|
Grease and cooking oil | Cools and coats pipe walls. | Let it cool, seal it in a container, and place it in the trash. |
Food scraps, pasta, and rice | Can expand or collect in existing buildup. | Scrape dishes into the trash before rinsing. |
Diapers, pads, and other hygiene products | Absorb water and can create a large blockage. | Place them in the trash. |
Paper towels | Stay strong when wet and may lodge in pipes. | Place them in the trash. |
Harsh chemical cleaners | Can weaken or damage pipes with repeated use. | Use a mechanical method, an enzyme-based product, or a plumber. |
Why Does My Drain Keep Clogging Even After I Clean It?
You’re likely dealing with a partially removed blockage or deep build-up that needs professional help if your drain keeps clogging despite taking steps to clear it. It’s also possible you have cracked or corroded pipes.
What Causes Recurring Drain Clogs?
Recurring drain clogs usually stem from constantly pouring incompatible food or products down the drain, neglecting monthly maintenance, or hard water build-up. You can also experience a recurring clog from pipe damage caused by corrosion.
Is It Safe to Use Chemical Drain Cleaners?
No, chemical drain cleaners aren’t safe since they’re too harsh on pipes and can cause them to weaken or crack over time. Enzyme-based cleaners are gentler since they gradually break down organic matter like hair and soap scum without causing further damage to your pipes.
Drain Clogs You Can Try to Fix Yourself
While learning how to keep drain pipes from clogging is a valuable skill, it’s also helpful to know how to clear clogs.
Physical Unclogging
Some drain clogs can be tugged out with a little patience and the right tool. Drain snakes are a popular and generally safe DIY tool: you funnel a spiked ‘straw’ down the drain, twist it to grip the clog, then pull it back out.
Gentle, Enzyme-Based Cleaners
Enzyme-based cleaners have become a popular alternative to harsh chemicals since they break down clogs naturally. These cleaners use a special kind of bacteria that gradually breaks down the clog, allowing water to rinse it away. Since they don’t contain harsh chemicals, the risk of pipe corrosion is low.
Call a Professional
Large or stuck clogs and damaged pipes usually require a plumbing professional. Plumbers come equipped with advanced tools, such as hydro jets that use powerful blasts of water to unstick clogs and cameras to identify the source of the clog and inspect for damage.
When a Clogged Drain Is a Sign of a Bigger Plumbing Problem
If you don’t know why your drain keeps clogging, you may have a more serious problem. Check to see if any of these major issues match your situation:
Multiple slow drains throughout the house
Recurring backups despite regular maintenance
Foul odors like rotten eggs or sulfur
Gurgling sounds whenever you use water
Standing water with no draining whatsoever
When Should I Call a Plumber for a Clogged Drain?
You should call a plumber for a clogged drain if it’s backing up, smelling foul, not draining at all, or doesn’t respond to any of your unclogging attempts. Professional plumbers bring years of experience and specialized tools that can target deep clogs or damaged pipes.
How Plumbers Diagnose Recurring Drain Clogs
Bringing in an experienced plumber is the best option when you’re dealing with a recurring clog. Not only will they remove the gunk or intrusions, but they’ll also give you valuable insight on how to prevent it in the future.
Camera Inspections
You can’t fix what you can’t see, so plumbers bring drain cameras to dive deep into the piping system. They can locate the clog, the cause, and anything else you might not know about.
Sewer Line Tests
Plumbers bring a complex suite of tools, such as pressure tests and infrared cameras, to identify minor and major problems in your plumbing.
Have questions about inspecting and removing a clog? Contact us to speak with one of our team members.
When to Call a Plumber for Drain Cleaning
Clogged drains are more than just frustrating; they can create serious situations if they result in water leaks or contamination. Let YES! take care of your plumbing concerns with professional solutions.
YES! has been working with Nevada and Utah homeowners for 45 years, addressing a wide range of plumbing needs. Check out our service area to see if we serve your neighborhood, then take a look at our special offers and coupons to save on your next service.
Count on our local team for drain clearing, pipe repair, and other plumbing services. Call us at 844-216-9300 for a free inspection and estimate.