Clearing a clog only to have it return a week later is one of the most frustrating plumbing problems a homeowner can face. The truth is that a recurring clog is a symptom, not the disease. Here are the seven causes we see most often when we're called out for repeat drain problems.
1. Grease and fat buildup
Kitchen drains clog more than any other because grease, oils, and fats cool and harden inside the pipe. Over time they coat the walls and trap food particles until water can barely pass.
2. Hair and soap scum
In bathrooms, hair binds with soap scum to form dense mats that catch everything else flowing down the drain. This is the leading cause of slow tubs and showers.
3. Tree roots in the sewer line
If multiple drains back up at once, the problem may not be in the fixture at all. Tree roots seek out moisture and invade small cracks in your main sewer line, eventually choking it.
4. Foreign objects
Wipes labeled flushable, cotton swabs, dental floss, and kids' toys are frequent culprits. Despite the label, almost nothing but toilet paper should be flushed.
5. Mineral buildup
New Jersey's hard water leaves mineral deposits inside pipes that gradually narrow the channel and snag debris.
6. Pipe damage or belly
A sagging or damaged section of pipe, called a belly, collects standing water and waste that no amount of plunging will fix permanently.
7. Improper pipe slope
Drain lines rely on gravity. If a line wasn't installed at the right slope, waste moves too slowly and settles into clogs.
If you're clearing the same drain repeatedly, a professional drain cleaning or camera inspection can find the real cause. Call On Call NJ at 862-860-1807.
Need professional help in Northern NJ? On Call NJ is here 24/7 for all your plumbing, heating, and cooling needs. Call 862-860-1807 or request service online.