Why Do My Drains Keep Clogging?

Why Is My Drain Backing Up — Again?

If a drain keeps clogging after you clear it, the problem isn’t on the surface. It’s deeper in the pipe. Here are the most common causes:

Grease Buildup in Kitchen Drains

Grease doesn’t wash away — it coats the inside of your drain pipes and hardens over time. Each time you pour cooking oil, bacon grease, or butter down the drain, that layer gets thicker. Eventually water can barely get through.

Hair and Soap Scum in Bathroom Drains

Hair and soap scum are the most common culprit in bathroom sink and shower drains. They tangle together and form sticky clogs that get denser over time. A drain snake might pull out the immediate blockage, but if the pipe walls are coated in residue, the next clog forms fast.

Tree Roots in Sewer Lines

This is the one most homeowners don’t think about. Tree roots naturally grow toward water sources — including your sewer line. Small cracks in older pipes let roots work their way in. Over time they expand and block flow entirely. If multiple drains in your home are backing up at the same time, tree roots are a real possibility.

Buildup in the Main Sewer Line

Your home’s individual drain lines all connect to one main sewer line. If that line has years of buildup — or a partial blockage — you’ll notice slow drains throughout the entire house, not just one fixture.

Why Store-Bought Drain Cleaners Are Often a Bad Idea

Chemical drain cleaners are sold as a quick fix. In reality, they cause more problems than they solve:

• They use harsh acids or bases that eat away at older pipes over time
• They may clear a small section but leave the deeper blockage intact
• They can damage PVC pipe joints and corrode metal pipes
• They’re dangerous to handle and can cause burns if they splash

The EPA warns that chemical drain cleaners are among the most hazardous household products. They’re a temporary solution at best — and a source of real damage at worst.

Signs It’s More Than a Simple Clog

Some drain problems need more than a plunger. Call a professional plumber if you notice:

• Multiple drains are slow or backing up at the same time
• Water is coming up through the bathtub when you flush the toilet
• You hear gurgling sounds from drains you’re not using
• There’s a sewage smell coming from drains
• Your yard has wet patches or sunken spots near the sewer line

These signs point to a main sewer line problem — not a localized clog. That requires professional equipment to diagnose and fix properly.

When Hydro Jetting or Camera Inspection Is Needed

Camera Inspection

A drain camera is a small waterproof camera fed into your sewer line. It shows us exactly what’s going on inside the pipe — roots, cracks, buildup, or a collapsed section. There’s no guessing. We see the problem and tell you exactly what needs to happen.

Hydro Jetting

Hydro jetting uses high-pressure water to blast through blockages and scour the interior walls of your pipes clean. Unlike a drain snake (which just pokes through the clog), hydro jetting removes the buildup entirely. It’s the most thorough drain cleaning available — and it’s far safer than chemical cleaners.

If your drains keep clogging despite repeated clearing, hydro jetting followed by a camera inspection is the right next step.

What Does Professional Drain Cleaning Cost?

Drain cleaning costs vary based on the problem:

• Standard drain cleaning (snake): $150–$350 depending on location and severity
• Hydro jetting: $300–$600 for most residential lines
• Camera inspection: $100–$300 (often bundled with service)
• Sewer line repair or root removal: varies based on scope

Compare that to the cost of water damage from a backed-up sewer — or the ongoing expense of monthly chemical treatments that don’t fix the root cause. Professional drain cleaning is an investment that pays off.

Learn more about our drain cleaning service or call us to schedule an inspection. We serve the entire Chicago Southwest suburbs area.