Clogged drains are one of the most common plumbing calls we get. And the frustrating thing is that most of them are preventable. Not by some complicated maintenance routine, but by understanding what goes down your drains and what should stay out of them.
The anatomy of a clog
Clogs rarely happen all at once. They build up gradually — hair in the shower, grease in the kitchen sink, soap scum on the walls of drain pipes — until one day the water stops draining and it seems sudden. By that point, the clog has often been developing for weeks or months.
Understanding what causes clogs by drain location helps you prevent them more effectively.
Kitchen drains
Grease is the enemy of kitchen drains. When hot grease or cooking fat goes down the drain, it's liquid. But it solidifies in the pipe as it cools, coating the walls and narrowing the flow area. Over time, food particles catch on the grease and the clog builds from there.
- Never pour grease down the drain — Pour it into a container and throw it in the trash.
- Run hot water while using the disposal — And keep running it for 30 seconds after.
- Avoid fibrous foods in the disposal — Celery, artichokes, corn husks, and similar foods can tangle around the disposal mechanism.
- Coffee grounds go in the trash — Not the sink. They accumulate at pipe bends and contribute significantly to kitchen clogs.
Bathroom drains
Hair is the primary culprit in bathroom drains, compounded by soap scum and conditioner residue. The solution is simple: use a drain strainer in your shower and clean it regularly. This single habit prevents the vast majority of shower clogs.
For bathroom sinks, the common culprits are hair, toothpaste, and soap buildup around the pop-up drain stopper. Pull out the stopper periodically and clean the gunk that accumulates around it.
Avoid chemical drain cleaners. They can clear a minor clog, but they're harsh on pipes — especially older metal pipes — and they often just push the clog further down the line without fully removing it. Mechanical clearing (a drain snake) is better for the pipe and more effective on stubborn clogs.
Main sewer line
The main sewer line carries all your wastewater out of the house. Unlike branch drains, you can't inspect or clean it easily on your own. Things to keep out of your drains that end up in the main line:
- "Flushable" wipes — They don't break down like toilet paper and are a leading cause of sewer blockages
- Feminine hygiene products
- Cotton balls and Q-tips
- Paper towels
- Dental floss — it tangles and catches everything else
When to call a plumber
If multiple drains in your home are slow or backing up at the same time, you likely have a main line clog — not just a localized problem. This requires a plumber with rodding equipment. A single slow drain is usually a branch clog that may be DIY-able; multiple slow drains or any sewage backup means call a plumber right away.
