Signs you need drain cleaning
- Water pools in the tub or shower while you're still showering
- Toilets gurgle, or bubble when another fixture drains
- Water comes up in the tub when you flush or run the washing machine
- Bad odors from floor drains or sinks
- The plunger works for a day, then the clog comes back
One drain or the whole house?
Start by noticing which fixtures are affected. A single slow bathroom sink usually has hair and soap caught near the trap or pop-up stopper. A kitchen sink that keeps clogging often has grease building up in the line behind the wall. If drains throughout the house are slow, especially the lowest fixtures like a tub or shower, the main drain is likely restricted. That's the one to call about quickly, because the next flush can end up on the floor.
What a plumber does
- Finds the access point. Usually a cleanout outside or in the house, or the fixture trap.
- Clears the line. A cable machine (snake) breaks up most clogs. Hydro-jetting, high-pressure water that scours the pipe walls, may be suggested for grease or scale build-up when the pipe is in good enough shape.
- Looks inside if needed. A camera inspection can show whether the pipe is damaged or sagging, which would explain repeat clogs.
- Explains the options. Cleaning, a spot repair, or replacing a section of line, with a price before work starts.
Keeping drains clear
- Wipe greasy pans before washing and keep cooking fat out of the sink.
- Use hair catchers in showers and tubs.
- Flush only toilet paper. "Flushable" wipes are a common cause of main-line clogs, and they're hard on septic tanks too.
- If you're on septic, keep up with pumping. A full tank backs up into the house through the lowest drain. Many septic professionals suggest having the tank checked every few years.
Related: emergency plumbing · leak repair
Drain cleaning FAQ
Should I use chemical drain cleaner first?
Plumbers generally advise against it. Caustic cleaners can damage older pipes and fixtures, often don't reach a deep clog, and make the job hazardous for whoever opens the line next. On a septic system, harsh chemicals can also upset the tank's bacteria.
Why are all my drains slow at the same time?
When every fixture is sluggish, or the toilet gurgles when the washer drains, the blockage is usually in the main building drain or the line to the sewer or septic tank, not in an individual fixture. On septic, a full tank or a failing drain field can cause the same symptoms.
What is a sewer camera inspection?
The plumber feeds a waterproof camera through the drain to see what's causing the blockage: roots, a sag (belly) in the pipe, a broken section, grease build-up, or a foreign object. It helps decide between a simple cleaning and a repair.
Is this a plumbing problem or a septic problem?
It can be either. If your home is on septic and the tank hasn't been pumped in a long time, or you see wet, smelly ground over the drain field, the septic system may be the cause. A plumber can tell whether the clog is in the house plumbing or past it.