Common Causes of Clogged Drains

Clogs don't all come from the same source. What's building up in a kitchen sink is usually different from what's clogging a bathroom drain, and knowing the difference can help you describe the problem more clearly when you call for help.

Kitchen sinks

Grease and cooking oil are the most common culprits. They go down as a liquid but solidify as they cool inside the pipe, gradually narrowing it. Food scraps, coffee grounds, and starchy residue from pasta or rice add to the buildup over time.

Bathroom sinks and tubs

Hair combined with soap scum is the classic bathroom clog. It tends to build up gradually near the drain opening rather than deep in the line, which is part of why it's often manageable without a full snake.

Toilets

Beyond the obvious — too much toilet paper at once — clogs often come from items that shouldn't be flushed at all: wipes (even ones labeled "flushable"), cotton products, or small objects. See our toilet repair page if clogs are becoming a recurring issue.

Floor drains and slower whole-house symptoms

If more than one drain is slow at the same time, the cause may not be local to any single fixture — it can point toward the main line instead. That's worth mentioning specifically when you call, since it changes what kind of contractor and equipment is likely needed. More on that in our sewer line repair page.

When to stop troubleshooting and call

A plunger or a drain snake handles a lot of simple clogs. If a clog keeps coming back, affects multiple fixtures, or doesn't respond to basic tools, it's a reasonable point to call (253) 452-0267 rather than keep working at it.