Clogged Drain St. John, MO. One of the quickest ways to halt your normal day is dealing with a clogged drain. If you’re suddenly standing in a puddle during your shower, waiting for the kitchen sink water to drain so you can grab a fork, or needing to rely on the backup bathroom, you’re dealing with a problem that isn’t going to fix itself.
Drain Cleaning STL is focused on helping St. John, MO homeowners with their full range of plumbing needs, including clogged drains. Our idea of professional service is prompt, friendly, and knowledgeable service that is built on honesty and making sure you feel supported. Whether you need a clog cleared from any drain, or a drain camera inspection, you can call our St. John, MO plumbers any time day or night 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
- The most common reasons drains clog in St. John, MO homes
- Why clogs keep coming back even after you think they’re gone
- Basic DIY steps you can try before calling a plumber
- How to know when you need a professional St. John, MO plumber
- Overview of our drain cleaning services in St. John, MO
What Causes Clogged Drains?
Different things can clog different types of drains in your St. John, MO home, 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, resulting in slow, stubborn drain blockages.
Even with a garbage disposal, food waste like eggshells, coffee grounds, vegetables, rice, and other scraps tend to accumulate rather than dissolve.
Kitchen sinks are also often clogged by grease and fat that cool and solidify inside the pipe, catching food particles and creating blockages.
Soap scum builds up from soap and mineral residue, producing buildup that grabs dirt and bacteria. Toothpaste scum in bathroom sinks also adds to clogs by catching hair.
Mineral buildup (hard water) is common in all drains. The minerals accumulate along pipe walls, making clogs form more easily.
Toilets are often clogged by items such as feminine products, wipes (even “flushable” ones), paper towels, and cotton swabs that don’t break down and get stuck in the pipe. Flushing anything else leads to quick blockages.
Tree roots often invade sewer lines looking for water, causing blockages throughout the entire home.
Broken or collapsed pipes, often found in older properties, allow soil and particles into the line, restricting drainage. Undersized pipes are more prone to clogging than larger lines.
Basement drains and laundry drains can be clogged by debris and sediment like sediment, lint, and tracked-in dirt that collect in the trap and form a solid clog.
Why Do My Drains Keep Getting Clogged?
Even if you unclog a drain once, it can still clog again. 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 can’t reach it.
- The clogs are happening because of larger problems within the line, like broken pipes or tree roots, so drains keep blocking no matter how many surface-level clogs you clear.
- When several drains feed into the same section of pipe, fixing one won’t solve the real issue.
- There’s a sag or low spot in the pipe (called “bellies”), which collects debris, and the trapped material keeps forming new clogs.
- Day-to-day routines, 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 calling a plumber, you may want to try some simple DIY steps to see if the clog can be cleared without help:
- Try Hot Water First: Heat a pot of water and slowly send it down the drain. This can loosen grease, soap residue, and small buildups in sinks and tubs.
- Remove the Stopper or Drain Cover: Clear any gunk you can grab near the opening with your hand or a makeshift tool.
- Try Dish Soap: For kitchen sinks with greasy buildup, send a good amount of dish soap down the drain and let it sit for several minutes.
- Make Your Own Drain Cleaner: Mixing one cup of white vinegar and one cup of baking soda produces a bubbling effect that helps dislodge minor debris. Pour hot water afterward to rinse the line.
- Use a Plunger: A few solid plunges can clear surface-level blockages in toilets, bathroom sinks, and kitchen drains. Cover the overflow opening to build pressure.
- Use a Drain Snake / Augur: Feed the coil gently into the drain to grab or break through clogs.
When to Call a Professional St. John, MO Plumber for a Clogged Drain
If none of your home remedies help and the water still won’t move, you should get a trained plumber involved to clear the line safely. Below are the red flags to watch for:
- DIY Methods Don't Work: If multiple DIY attempts barely make the drain budge, you’re likely dealing with a clog that requires pro-level equipment.
- The Clog Keeps Coming Back: If clogs keep returning over and over, there’s likely a hidden clog farther down that only a plumber can diagnose.
- 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 using one drain affects another in the house, you’re dealing with a system-wide issue and only a plumber’s tools can fix it.
- Complete Blockage: If the drain won’t take even a trickle of water, don’t force more water, 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 ensure the line stays intact.
Drain Cleaning Services We Offer in St. John, MO
Our team provides a complete lineup of professional drain cleaning solutions to unclog drains St. John, MO homeowners can’t clear themselves, using advanced tools and professional-grade cleaners unavailable at retail stores.
Sewer & Drain Cleaning
Complete cleaning for residential drains and sewer lines using advanced gear to restore full flow.
Sink Drain Cleaning
Unclogging kitchen, bathroom, and utility sinks for kitchens, bathrooms, and utility sinks.
Toilet Drain Cleaning
Clearing toilet clogs safely and effectively.
Basement Drain Cleaning
Clearing basement drains to stop pooling water.
Bathtub Drain Cleaning
Restoring proper flow to tub drains.
Sewer Drain Cleaning
Professional clearing of the main sewer line.
Water & Sewer Line Repair
Providing repair or replacement for damaged drain and sewer pipes when cleaning isn’t enough.
Drain Camera Inspections
Performing camera inspections to identify underlying issues.
Plumbing Services
General plumbing services for system-wide issues.
Whether it’s just one stubborn drain, water pooling around every drain, or a damaged sewer line, Drain Cleaning STL can fix it fast.
Need Help With a Clogged Drain in St. John, MO?
Call Drain Cleaning STL for prompt, friendly, and reliable service.
- Reach out anytime — day or night. Count on our team 24/7 for urgent issues.
- Professionally licensed, bonded, and insured technicians. You get experienced, trustworthy professionals, with insurance protection for your home.
- Cutting-edge tools and technology. From drain-camera inspections to hydro-jetting and heavy-duty augers, we use equipment designed for deep or stubborn clogs, not just the shallow debris.
- Complete drain coverage throughout your house. Whether it’s a sink, bathtub, basement drain, sewer line, or a toilet, we’ve got every drain covered.
Don’t let a small clog turn into major damage.
Call our St. John, MO plumbers and drain cleaning specialists at 636-742-2533 right now or contact us online to set up your drain cleaning appointment.