Why Do Drains Keep Clogging? Common Causes & Expert Prevention Tips

If you’re constantly wondering why do drains keep clogging, you’re dealing with a problem almost every household eventually faces. Repeating drain blockages are frustrating because they seem to return even after cleaning, plunging, or using chemical drain cleaners. The truth is that most recurring clogs are the result of underlying issues you may not be aware of. In this complete guide, we explain the most common reasons drains clog repeatedly, how to prevent it, and when it’s time to call a professional plumber. 

This article is designed to help homeowners understand what’s going wrong inside their plumbing system. Whether you’re struggling with a kitchen sink blockage, slow shower drains, or clogged toilets, the solutions below will help you stop the cycle for good. 

Why Drains Keep Clogging: The Real Reasons Behind Recurring Blockages 

Most people assume one big lump of debris causes a clog. But in reality, recurring drain issues usually come from a combination of factors building up over months or even years. Let’s look at the most common causes and what you can do to fix them. 

1. Grease, Soap, and Food Waste Build-Up 

Grease is one of the biggest culprits behind drain blockages-especially in the kitchen. Even if you rinse dishes thoroughly, oils and fats cling to the inside of pipes. Over time, they cool, harden, and layer onto the walls. Soap scum and food scraps stick to the grease, forming thick blockages that keep returning. 

Why It Continues to Happen 

Most people don’t realise that hot water doesn’t wash away grease. It only moves it further down the pipes where it can solidify again. 

How to Prevent This 

• Pour used cooking oil into a sealed container, never into the sink. 
• Scrape all dishes before washing. 
• Install a grease trap if you cook frequently or have recurring clogs. 
• Schedule preventive drain cleaning to remove buildup professionally. 

A kitchen drain may appear clean at the surface, but deep inside, layers of grease remain unless removed with professional tools. 

2. Hair Buildup in Bathroom Drains 

Bathroom blockages are usually caused by hair combined with soap, shampoo residue, and skin flakes. Hair easily tangles and creates long strands that catch inside the drain. 

Why It Keeps Happening 

Even if you clean the top of the drain, hair that slips into the pipe can accumulate in the curves or the P-trap. Over time, this forms a dense clump. 

How to Fix and Prevent It 

• Install fine-mesh strainers over your shower and vanity drains. 
• Clean the strainer weekly. 
• Use mild enzyme cleaners occasionally to dissolve buildup. 
• Brush hair before showering to reduce shedding. 

A little prevention goes a long way in stopping recurring bathroom clogs. 

3. “Flushable” Wipes and Other Foreign Objects 

Despite being labelled “flushable,” most wipes do not break down in water. Instead, they stay intact, absorb liquids, and expand. When wipes snag on something inside the pipes, they create a net that traps toilet paper and waste. 

Common Problem Items 

• Flushable wipes 
• Cotton pads and earbuds 
• Dental floss 
• Sanitary products 
• Paper towels 
  
  

How to Prevent This 

• Only flush toilet paper-nothing else. 
• Educate kids and guests about what cannot go down the toilet. 
• Use a small bathroom bin for wipes and hygiene items. 

Flushable items are a leading cause of recurring toilet blockages in homes and apartments. 

4. Tree Roots Entering Your Pipes (Root Intrusion) 

When homeowners ask why do drains keep clogging, one unexpected answer is root intrusion. Tree roots naturally seek water and nutrients. If there is even the smallest crack or gap in your underground pipes, roots will work their way inside. 

Signs of Root Damage 

• Gurgling noises from drains 
• Slow toilets throughout the house 
• Smelly drains 
• Overflowing outdoor sewer grates 
• Blockages that return days after cleaning 
  
  

How to Fix the Problem 

Professionals use CCTV drain inspection to locate root entry points. This is followed by methods such as: 

• High water jetting to cut and flush roots 
• Root treatment solutions 
• Pipe relining or replacement for severe damage 

Root intrusion won’t go away on its own. Ignoring it only leads to worse clogs, leaks, and potential sewer collapse. 

5. Sagging or Misaligned Pipes 

Pipes naturally shift over time due to soil movement, heavy rains, or poor installation. This creates dips known as “pipe bellies” where wastewater collects. As water slows in these areas, solids settle and form blockages. 

How to Identify a Pipe Belly 

Only a CCTV drain inspection can reveal sagging pipes. Homeowners often notice: 

• Slow drainage in multiple fixtures 
• Blockages that reappear after temporary fixes 
• Bubbling drains 
  
  

Solutions 

Repairing sagging pipes often involves relining or replacement. Once fixed, water flows smoothly again. 

6. Old, Corroded, or Damaged Pipes 

Older homes with metal, clay, or rusted pipes face constant blockage issues. As the pipes corrode or crack, debris sticks to rough surfaces. This leads to recurring clogs and slow drains. 

Long-Term Solution 

Pipe relining or replacement with modern PVC pipes can eliminate corrosion and provide a smoother, longer-lasting drainage system. 

7. Lack of Regular Maintenance 

Even well-installed plumbing needs routine care. Most people wait for a complete blockage before calling a plumber, but maintenance is far more effective. 

Recommended Maintenance Schedule 

• Kitchen drains: every 6 months 
• Bathroom drains: every 12 months 
• Homes with trees near plumbing lines: every 6-8 months 

Preventive drain cleaning removes buildup before it becomes a blockage, increasing the lifespan of your plumbing system. 

How to Prevent Drains from Clogging Again: Practical Solutions 

Now that you know why drains keep clogging, here are proactive steps to keep your plumbing flowing properly. 

1. Install Grease Traps for Kitchens 

Grease traps are extremely effective for preventing fats, oils, and food scraps from entering your plumbing system. They’re common in commercial kitchens but also useful in large households with frequent cooking. 

2. Use Drain Guards Throughout Your Home 

Drain guards are inexpensive but very effective. They prevent hair, food scraps, and debris from going into the drain. 

Best Places to Use Them 

• Kitchen sink 
• Bathroom sinks 
• Showers 
• Laundry sinks 

3. Flush Drains Weekly With Hot Water 

Pouring boiling water down the drain once a week helps dissolve soap residue and keep pipes clear. This is especially useful in bathrooms and kitchens where residue tends to accumulate. 

4. Schedule Professional Drain Cleaning 

DIY cleaners can only do so much. Professional plumbers use methods like high water jetting to thoroughly clean pipes. Jetting removes: 

• Grease buildup 
• Tree root fragments 
• Mineral deposits 
• Soap scum 
• Food waste 

This leaves your pipes almost like new. 

5. Get CCTV Drain Inspection for Recurring Issues 

If you regularly face blockages, a CCTV drain inspection will identify hidden issues. This modern diagnostic tool pinpoints: 

• Cracked pipes 
• Misaligned joints 
• Root intrusion 
• Hidden obstructions 

Identifying the source helps you fix the problem permanently. 

6. Improve Waste Disposal Habits 

Many blockages can be avoided by changing habits at home. Remind family members to: 

• Avoid flushing wipes 
• Throw food scraps in the bin 
• Keep hair out of the shower 
• Never pour fats or oils down the sink 

Good habits are often the simplest long-term fix. 

When Should You Call a Plumber? 

Some clogs can be managed at home, but persistent ones require expert attention. You should call a licensed plumber if: 

• Drainage slows suddenly 
• Multiple drains block at the same time 
• Water backs up into sinks or showers 
• Drains smell foul 
• Home-made solutions stop working 

Hipwell Plumbing offers fast, reliable solutions including CCTV inspections, jet blasting, and emergency drain repairs. 

Final Thoughts 

If you keep asking why do drains keep clogging, the answer is usually a mix of grease buildup, hair, foreign objects, old pipes, or underground root damage. With the right prevention strategies and regular maintenance, you can keep your drains flowing smoothly and avoid costly repairs. 

For expert help with recurring drain problems, contact Hipwell Plumbing-your trusted professionals for fast, reliable, and long-term solutions. 

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