Common Causes of Recurring Clogs
Recurring clogs may be caused by:
• Hair and soap buildup
• Grease buildup
• Food scraps
• Wipes or paper products
• Too much toilet paper
• Something stuck in the toilet or drain
• A partial blockage farther down the line
• Drain line buildup
• Pipe slope or drainage concerns
• Venting issues
• Tree roots
• Sewer or main line concerns
Not every recurring clog means there is a major problem, but repeated issues should not be ignored.
A clogged drain once in a while can happen. But if the same drain keeps slowing down, clogging, backing up, or needing to be cleared over and over, there may be a deeper issue.
Recurring clogs are often a sign that the real cause has not been fully addressed.
Common Signs of a Recurring Drain Problem
You may notice:
• The same sink, tub, shower, or toilet keeps clogging
• A drain clears temporarily, then slows again
• Water backs up after running for a little while
• The drain smells bad
• You hear gurgling sounds
• More than one drain is slow
• A toilet bubbles when another fixture drains
• A clog comes back soon after plunging or cleaning
• Water backs up into a tub, shower, sink, or floor drain
If the problem keeps returning, it is worth looking beyond a quick temporary fix.
One helpful clue is whether the clog affects only one fixture or several.
If only one sink, tub, shower, or toilet is affected, the issue may be close to that fixture.
If multiple drains are slow, gurgling, or backing up, the issue may be farther down the drain system.
If sewage is backing up, water is coming up in another fixture, or several drains are affected at once, stop using water if possible and call for help.
Plunging, cleaning the drain opening, or using a store-bought product may help temporarily, but it may not remove the full blockage or solve the reason the clog keeps coming back.
Chemical drain cleaners can also be harsh on pipes and may make the work more hazardous if the drain still needs to be opened or serviced.
What You Can Check First
Before scheduling, it helps to notice:
• Which drain is affected
• How often it clogs
• Whether it clears and comes back
• Whether other drains are slow too
• Whether there is a sewer smell
• Whether you hear gurgling
• Whether water backs up into another fixture
• Whether chemical drain cleaner has been used
• Whether wipes, grease, or food scraps may have gone down the drain
A photo or short video can also help, especially if water is backing up or the drain is making noise.
CALL/TEXT
Call a plumber if the same drain keeps clogging, the clog comes back soon after clearing, more than one drain is affected, there is a sewer smell, gurgling, bubbling, or water backing up.
Shanks Onsite Services can help check what is going on and recommend the next right step.
Call or text 470-531-3956 with a photo or short video.
Local West Georgia Plumbing • Licensed Master Plumber • Family-owned
Shanks is on it.
