Grease and fat
It goes down warm and liquid, then cools and coats the inside of the pipe. Most kitchen blockages started here.
Helpful information
Helpful information
The things we end up explaining on most calls. Worth knowing before something backs up on a Sunday.
Causes
What actually causes drain clogs
Most of what we cut out of a line was put there one small piece at a time.
Tree and shrub roots
Roots find the tiny seep at a joint and grow into the line. A mature oak will happily fill a sewer lateral.
"Flushable" wipes
They don't break down. They are one of the most common causes of a blocked lateral we get called for.
Toys and objects
We've seen it all — from action figures blocking sewer lines onward. Accidents happen. It's okay. Just call.
Mineral and soap build-up
Deposits narrow the line over years until a normal amount of use is suddenly too much for it.
Shifted or broken pipe
Soil movement cracks lines. Rarer than clogs, but it needs attention rather than another round of rodding.
Septic systems, briefly
A septic system provides private waste removal for homes not connected to local sewers. Three main parts: the septic tank, a drainfield for the treated waste water, and the soil beneath the drainfield.
Waste is filtered to the soil, where components in the soil neutralize bacteria and chemicals before they reach groundwater or nearby rivers and lakes. Proper maintenance ensures the longevity of the system — older tanks and systems can show signs of failure through corrosion and other problems.
- Know where your tank and drainfield actually are
- Watch for soggy ground over the drainfield
- Slow drains across the whole house can be the system, not a clog
- Ask us for help troubleshooting before it becomes a replacement
Worth doing once a year
- Find your main water shutoff and make sure it still turns
- Check under sinks for damp, corroded angle stops
- Replace rubber washing-machine hoses with braided stainless
- Watch the water bill — an unexplained jump usually means a leak
- Keep grease out of the kitchen line entirely
- Have a recurring drain problem inspected on video rather than rodded again
When to stop and call
Some things shouldn't wait
Sewage backing up into a tub or shower
This usually means the main line, not a fixture. Stop using water in the house and call — solutions become more complicated the longer you wait.
Water you cannot shut off
If the main won't close or you can't find it, call the emergency line. That's exactly what 24-hour service is for.
A smell of gas near the water heater
Leave and call PG&E from outside first. That is not a wait-till-morning problem and not a DIY one.
Repeated blockages in the same line
Rodding it again treats the symptom. Ask for video inspection so you find out whether it's roots, a break or a fall problem.
Plumbing problem right now?
We answer 24 hours a day, seven days a week, every day of the year. Free estimates, and no job is too small or too large.