Clogged Drain University City, MO. One of the quickest ways to halt your normal day is dealing with a clogged drain. If your shower starts filling up around your ankles, digging through a sink full of standing kitchen water, 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 focused on helping University City, 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 sink, basement, or sewer drain cleaned, or a video drain inspection, you can call our University City, 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
- Typical causes behind clogged drains in University City, MO homes
- Why drains keep clogging even after you clear them
- Easy, at-home ways to unclog a drain
- How to know when you need a professional University City, MO plumber
- A full list of drain cleaning services available in University City, MO
What Causes Clogged Drains?
There are many reasons drains clog in your University City, MO home, but most blockages come from a handful of common culprits. Here’s what usually leads to a clogged drain:
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 builds up from soap and mineral residue, producing buildup that grabs dirt and bacteria. Toothpaste scum in bathroom sinks can trap hair and other particles.
Mineral buildup (hard water) is common in all drains. The minerals build layer by layer inside the plumbing, 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 fail to dissolve and block the line. 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, let dirt and debris enter the drainage system, disrupting water flow. Undersized pipes also struggle with buildup.
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?
A drain might work for a short time after you clear it, but still clog again. Recurring blockages usually mean something deeper is going on. Here’s why it keeps happening:
- A clog has moved deeper down the line, and DIY fixes like plungers or store-bought cleaners aren’t able to clear it.
- The clogs are happening because of more serious pipe issues, 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, 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, cause the same clog to return.
How to Unclog a Drain Yourself
Before you bring in a professional, there are a few at-home methods you can try to see if the clog can be cleared without help:
- Try Hot Water First: Pour very hot water down the drain. This can loosen grease, soap residue, and small buildups in sinks and tubs.
- Remove the Stopper or Drain Cover: Reach for visible hair, food, or debris 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 long enough to break down the grease.
- 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. Follow with hot water to flush it away.
- Use a Plunger: Firm plunges can move shallow clogs in toilets, bathroom sinks, and kitchen drains. Make sure to plug the overflow opening for maximum force.
- Use a Drain Snake / Augur: Slowly guide the snake down the drain to grab or break through clogs.
When to Call a Professional University City, MO Plumber for a Clogged Drain
If none of your home remedies help and your drains keep slowing down, it’s time to bring in a professional University City, MO plumber to clear the line safely. Here are some signs it’s time to call:
- DIY Methods Don't Work: If multiple DIY attempts barely make the drain budge, it’s likely far past where DIY tools can reach.
- The Clog Keeps Coming Back: When the same drain keeps giving you trouble, it often points to a deeper obstruction that requires more than basic tools.
- Multiple Drains Are Backed Up at Once: If every drain seems to be struggling, it’s typically a sewer line clog, not an isolated drain.
- Water Is Backing Up Into Other Drains: If water is moving in the wrong direction, the main line is blocked and DIY solutions won’t reach it.
- Complete Blockage: When nothing is moving through the line, don’t try to power water into it, because the clog is solid and compacted and requires professional equipment.
- You Can’t Access the Clog Safely: Low-level drains, older systems, or hidden cleanouts often can only be accessed by a professional to ensure the line stays intact.
Drain Cleaning Services We Offer in University City, MO
We offer a full range of targeted, professional drain cleaning services to unclog drains University City, MO homeowners can’t fix on their own, using advanced tools and professional-grade cleaners unavailable at retail stores.
Sewer & Drain Cleaning
Complete cleaning for residential drains and sewer lines using professional equipment to fully clear the pipe.
Sink Drain Cleaning
Clearing sink lines and restoring normal drainage 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
Unclogging tub drains to eliminate slow draining.
Sewer Drain Cleaning
Professional clearing of the main sewer line.
Water & Sewer Line Repair
Repairing or replacing damaged, cracked, or collapsed pipe sections 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 has you covered.
Dealing With a Clogged Drain in University City, MO?
Contact Drain Cleaning STL for quick, honest, and high-quality service.
- Call us any time — day or night. We’re available 24/7 for emergencies.
- Professionally licensed, bonded, and insured technicians. Our plumbers are experienced and reliable, giving you extra peace of mind.
- Advanced tools & tech. From drain-camera inspections to hydro-jetting and heavy-duty augers, we have the gear to find and remove deep clogs, not just surface problems.
- 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.
Reach out to our University City, MO drain cleaning experts at 636-742-2533 right now or contact us online to set up your drain cleaning appointment.