Clogged Drain Clayton, MO. There aren’t many things that interrupt your routine faster than a clogged drain. If your shower starts filling up around your ankles, swirling your hand through the kitchen sink trying to find a fork, or having to switch bathrooms just to get ready, you’re dealing with a problem that isn’t going to fix itself.
Drain Cleaning STL is dedicated to helping Clayton, MO homeowners with all of their plumbing problems, including clogged drains. Our idea of professional service is fast, courteous, and experienced service that is transparent and designed to put homeowners at ease. Whether you need a sink, basement, or sewer drain cleaned, or a video drain inspection, you can call our Clayton, MO plumbers 24/7 whenever you need us at 636-742-2533, or you can contact us online or fill out our emergency service form here.
What You'll Find on This Page
- Common causes of clogged drains in Clayton, MO homes
- Why clogs keep coming back even after you think they’re gone
- Basic DIY steps you can try before calling a plumber
- Signs it’s time to call a professional Clayton, MO plumber
- A full list of drain cleaning services available in Clayton, MO
What Causes Clogged Drains?
Drains in your Clayton, MO home can clog for a variety of reasons, but the main causes tend to be the same. Here are the main causes:
Hair frequently leads to clogs in tubs, showers, and bathroom sinks. Small strands collect and wrap around soap residue, creating thick clogs that restrict water flow.
Even with a garbage disposal, food waste like eggshells, coffee grounds, vegetables, rice, and other scraps don’t break down easily and pile up.
Kitchen sinks are also often clogged by grease and fat that stick to the walls of the drain, trapping food scraps and creating thick buildup.
Soap scum develops as soap interacts with hard water minerals, leaving behind a hardened layer that collects debris. Toothpaste scum in bathroom sinks also adds to clogs by catching hair.
Mineral buildup (hard water) affects every type of drain. The minerals accumulate along pipe walls, shrinking the drain diameter.
Toilets are often clogged by items such as feminine products, wipes (even “flushable” ones), paper towels, and cotton swabs that fail to dissolve and block the line. Flushing anything else leads to quick blockages.
Tree roots grow toward moisture and can break into the main sewer line, leading to widespread drainage issues.
Broken or collapsed pipes, often found in older properties, let dirt and debris enter the drainage system, disrupting water flow. Undersized pipes can’t keep up with debris accumulation.
Basement drains and laundry drains can be clogged by debris and sediment like mud, debris, and lint that build up until the drain becomes blocked.
Why Do My Drains Keep Getting Clogged?
Clearing a clog once doesn’t always solve the problem. Recurring blockages usually mean something deeper is going on. Here are the most common reasons:
- A clog has moved deeper down the line, and DIY fixes like plungers or store-bought cleaners don’t extend far enough to remove it.
- The clogs are happening because of major plumbing issues, like broken pipes or tree roots, so drains keep blocking even if you remove the top-level debris.
- When several drains feed into the same section of pipe, clearing just one won’t stop the others from backing up.
- There’s a sag or low spot in the pipe (called “bellies”), which collects debris, and the trapped material keeps forming new clogs.
- Regular use patterns, like rinsing grease down the kitchen sink, letting hair wash down the shower drain, or flushing wipes, keep rebuilding the same type of clog even after you clear it.
How to Unclog a Drain Yourself
Before reaching out to a pro, there are a few at-home methods you can try to see if you can resolve the problem yourself:
- Try Hot Water First: Pour very hot water down the drain. This can help break up light grease and soap film in sinks and tubs.
- Remove the Stopper or Drain Cover: Reach for visible hair, food, or debris with your hand or a bent wire hanger.
- Try Dish Soap: For kitchen sinks with greasy buildup, add a heavy squeeze of dishwashing liquid and let it sit about 10 minutes.
- Make Your Own Drain Cleaner: Mixing one cup of white vinegar and one cup of baking soda creates carbon dioxide bubbles that helps break down soft residue. Follow with hot water to flush it away.
- Use a Plunger: Plunging often helps remove simple clogs in toilets, bathroom sinks, and kitchen drains. Block the overflow hole for better suction.
- Use a Drain Snake / Augur: Slowly guide the snake down the drain to pull out hair, food, and debris.
When to Call a Professional Clayton, MO Plumber for a Clogged Drain
If none of your home remedies help and the problem continues, you’ll probably need to call a plumber in Clayton, MO to clear the line safely. Here’s when you should pick up the phone:
- DIY Methods Don't Work: If every DIY trick in the book still leaves you with a clogged drain, the clog is probably too deep for home tools.
- The Clog Keeps Coming Back: When the same drain keeps giving you trouble, it usually means the main blockage is still there that needs professional equipment to remove.
- Multiple Drains Are Backed Up at Once: When more than one drain in your home backs up, that’s a strong sign of a main line issue.
- Water Is Backing Up Into Other Drains: If flushing the toilet forces water into the shower, it means the drainage system can’t push water out properly and the clog is beyond your reach.
- Complete Blockage: If no water drains at all, you shouldn’t continue forcing it, because the clog is solid and compacted and should only be cleared by a pro.
- You Can’t Access the Clog Safely: Floor drains, basement drains, old pipes, or tight cleanouts often require specialized tools to avoid pipe damage.
Drain Cleaning Services We Offer in Clayton, MO
We offer a full range of targeted, professional drain cleaning services to unclog drains Clayton, MO homeowners can’t clear themselves, supported by commercial-grade tools and cleaners not available to homeowners.
Sewer & Drain Cleaning
Thorough cleaning of household drains and sewer lines using advanced gear to remove blockages completely.
Sink Drain Cleaning
Unclogging kitchen, bathroom, and utility sinks for kitchens, bathrooms, and utility sinks.
Toilet Drain Cleaning
Unclogging stubborn toilet blockages.
Basement Drain Cleaning
Restoring flow to basement and floor drains to avoid backups.
Bathtub Drain Cleaning
Restoring proper flow to tub drains.
Sewer Drain Cleaning
Professional clearing of the main sewer line.
Water & Sewer Line Repair
Fixing broken, sunken, or collapsed water/sewer lines when cleaning isn’t enough.
Drain Camera Inspections
Performing camera inspections to identify underlying issues.
Plumbing Services
Full-service plumbing support for repairs, replacements, and troubleshooting.
Whether you're dealing with a single clogged toilet, multiple fixtures backing up, or a damaged sewer line, Drain Cleaning STL is here to help.
Dealing With a Clogged Drain in Clayton, MO?
Contact Drain Cleaning STL for quick, honest, and high-quality service.
- We’re available whenever you need us — day or night. We’re available 24/7 for emergencies.
- Licensed, insured & bonded plumbers. Our plumbers are experienced and reliable, ensuring your property is protected.
- Advanced tools & tech. From drain-camera inspections to hydro-jetting and heavy-duty augers, we use equipment designed for deep or stubborn clogs, not just what’s visible near the drain.
- Service for every drain in your home. Whether it’s a sink, bathtub, basement drain, sewer line, or a toilet, we’ve got every drain covered.
Don’t ignore the warning signs.
Call our Clayton, MO plumbers and drain cleaning specialists at 636-742-2533 today or contact us online to book a professional drain inspection and cleaning.