If a drain clogs more than twice in a few months, there’s a deeper issue than a simple blockage. A plunger or drain cleaner might clear the symptom temporarily, but the underlying cause keeps building up.
Most Common Causes by Drain Type
Kitchen Sink
- Grease buildup — the #1 cause. Grease goes down liquid but solidifies in the pipe, coating the walls and narrowing the opening over time. Even small amounts add up.
- Food debris — garbage disposals don’t dissolve food. Fibrous foods (celery, potato peels), rice, and pasta expand in water and create blockages.
- Soap scite and grease combining — creates a thick, sticky layer that traps everything else
Bathroom Sink and Shower
- Hair + soap scum — hair catches on the drain stopper or cross-hairs, soap scum binds it together, and a mat forms that gradually blocks the pipe
- Toothpaste and product buildup — contributes to the sticky layer that traps hair
Toilet
- “Flushable” wipes — they don’t break down like toilet paper. They snag on pipe joints and create blockages
- Too much toilet paper at once
- Partial sewer line blockage — if the toilet clogs frequently but the drain line is clear, the problem may be farther down
Why Chemical Drain Cleaners Make It Worse
Products like Drano or Liquid-Plumr use caustic chemicals (sodium hydroxide, sulfuric acid) that:
- Corrode older metal pipes from the inside
- Generate heat that can soften PVC pipe joints
- Often don’t reach the actual clog — they sit in the standing water above it
- Create a chemical hazard if a plumber needs to work on the line later
How to Actually Fix Recurring Clogs
- Drain snake/auger: Physically breaks through the clog. $15–$30 for a hand snake at the hardware store, or $150–$300 for a professional to do it.
- Hydro jetting: High-pressure water scours the entire pipe wall clean. $350–$600. This is the only method that removes grease buildup completely.
- Camera inspection: If clogs keep coming back after snaking, a camera reveals the root cause — literally, in some cases (tree roots).
Prevention
- Never pour grease down the drain — wipe pans with a paper towel first
- Use drain screens in showers ($3–$5 each)
- Run hot water for 30 seconds after using the kitchen sink
- Monthly: pour boiling water down kitchen drains to melt minor grease buildup
- Stop using “flushable” wipes
Powell’s Plumbing & Air clears and prevents drain clogs throughout Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, and Hampton Roads.