Why Does My Drain Keep Clogging?
A drain that clogs once is a nuisance. A drain that keeps clogging is telling you something. Here’s what the recurring problem usually means – and what actually fixes it.
The Difference Between a One-Time Clog and a Recurring One
A one-time clog usually has an obvious cause: too much hair, something dropped in the drain, a grease pour that caught up with itself. You clear it and the drain runs fine.
A recurring clog means something is consistently catching material in the same spot. That catching point is either buildup on the pipe walls, structural damage inside the pipe, or the wrong material going down the drain repeatedly.
Common Reasons a Drain Keeps Clogging
Grease Buildup on Pipe Walls
Kitchen drains accumulate grease over time. Grease doesn’t just flow through – it cools and coats the pipe wall, gradually narrowing it. Debris sticks to the grease. The narrowed pipe backs up more easily with each passing month. A drain snake opens the center but doesn’t clean the walls. Hydro jetting does.
Hair and Soap Scum in Bathroom Drains
Hair binds with soap scum and forms a mat just inside the drain or in the P-trap. Without a hair catcher, this builds up and re-clogs even after you clear it. The fix is both a screen to catch future hair and clearing the existing buildup.
Tree Roots Inside the Pipe
Root intrusion is the most common cause of recurring drain and sewer line backups in older Colorado Springs neighborhoods. Roots grow into the pipe through joints or cracks, then catch every bit of material that comes through. A snake cuts the root mass but doesn’t stop it from growing back – often within months. Clearing the roots with hydro jetting and sealing the entry point with pipe lining stops the cycle.
A Crack or Damaged Section in the Pipe
A crack, offset joint, or rough section in the pipe creates a ledge or protrusion that catches debris. Every time the drain is cleared, the same spot fills up again. This is a structural problem – the pipe itself needs to be repaired, not just cleared. A camera inspection identifies exactly where and what the damage is.
Pipe Belly (Sag)
If the ground has settled beneath a section of your drain line, that section can develop a low spot. Waste and solids collect there instead of flowing through. This shows up on a camera inspection and cannot be resolved with snaking alone.
Flushing the Wrong Things
If a toilet drain keeps clogging, the cause is often what’s going into it. Wipes (even “flushable” ones), paper towels, cotton products, and feminine hygiene products don’t break down the way toilet paper does. They accumulate and create recurring blockages. The fix is behavioral – and clearing whatever has built up in the line.
Why Snaking the Same Drain Repeatedly Is a Sign to Stop
If the same drain has been snaked two or three times in the past year, that’s a signal that snaking isn’t solving the problem. Each time the drain backs up, there’s a real cost – in service calls, in time, and in the potential for sewage damage. A camera inspection and a proper fix typically costs less than repeated emergency calls over the same period.
The EPA identifies grease and debris buildup as a primary cause of sewer system failures starting at the household drain level.
What Actually Fixes a Recurring Drain Clog
- Camera inspection – Identify the exact cause and location
- Hydro jetting – Clean the pipe walls thoroughly (not just punch through)
- Pipe lining if structural – Seal cracks, root entry points, or offset joints permanently
- Prevention habits – Use drain screens, keep grease out, flush only appropriate materials
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my kitchen drain clog even though I’m careful about grease?
Even small amounts of grease accumulate over years. The pipe walls may have significant buildup from previous years of use that hasn’t been addressed. Hydro jetting removes this historical accumulation.
My shower drain clogs every few weeks. What’s wrong?
Almost certainly hair and soap scum at or just inside the drain. A hair catcher prevents future buildup. The existing accumulation in the drain and P-trap needs to be cleared.
The plumber snakes my drain every year. Should I try something different?
Yes. Annual snaking of the same drain is a maintenance cost, not a solution. A camera inspection identifies why the clog keeps forming – structural or otherwise – and a proper fix eliminates the recurring call.
Done clearing the same drain over and over? Get to the root of the problem with Alphalete Trenchless Pipelining. Call (720) 807-3224.
