Why Your Drain Keeps Clogging (And a Smart Hack to Fix It)

Clogged drains are one of the most nagging problems for homes, offices, and rental properties. In commercial cleaning and residential maintenance, you’ll often see blockages affecting sinks, showers, floor drains, and more. But before calling a plumber, knowing what causes clogs and a few smart fixes can save time, money, and headaches.

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🚰 Common Causes of Drain Clogs

Here are frequent culprits behind slow or stopped drains:

• Hair & Soap Scum: One of the most typical — hair tangles with soap residue and forms a sticky plug (especially in bathroom sinks, showers).

• Grease, Oil & Food Waste: In kitchen sinks, fats and oil solidify in pipes, collecting other debris.

• Foreign Objects: Items accidentally dropped in drains (cotton swabs, dental floss, jewelry) can jam pipes.

• Mineral Buildup / Scale: Over time, minerals (especially in hard water areas) coat the insides of pipes, narrowing flow.

• Toothpaste, Facial Cleanser, Lotion Residue: These may not clog instantly, but layered residue adds resistance over time.

• Soap Bar Residue & Detergents: Some soaps leave deposits that cling to pipe walls.

• Broken or Misaligned Pipes: Joints that shift or crack can trap debris or reduce flow.

If you’re doing commercial cleaning or apartment turnover cleaning in Seattle–Tacoma, watch for slow drains or gurgling sounds—they’re early warnings.

🛠 A Simple, Effective DIY Hack (No Harsh Chemicals)

Here’s a lesser-known but solid method for many clogged sinks and shower drains. Use this for office break rooms, residential bathrooms, or short-term rentals.

What You’ll Need:

• Baking soda (½ cup)

• White vinegar (½ cup)

• Boiling water (enough to flush)

• A plunger or small sink cup plunger

• Drain snake or zip tool (optional)

Steps:

1. Remove drain cover — take off grate or pop-up plug so you can access the opening.

2. Pour baking soda down the drain.

3. Add white vinegar — it will fizz and bubble. That reaction helps loosen debris.

4. Wait 10–15 minutes — let the mixture work.

5. Flush with boiling water — pour down to push debris through.

6. Plunge or snake — if still slow, gently use a plunger or a drain snake to break up any remaining block.

This method helps dissolve organic buildup, free hair clogs, and flush residue without harsh chemicals. Here’s a video that walks through a similar method:

Richard Trethewey demonstrates how to handle common clogs in sinks, showers & toilets.

Tips & Precautions You May Overlook

• Always test on less visible or less important drains first, especially in older properties.

• Don’t use chemical drain cleaners too often — they can damage pipes, especially older plumbing.

• For commercial kitchens, avoid pouring grease down the sink — use a grease trap or can it off first.

• Use drain screens or strainers in showers, sinks, and kitchen drains to catch hair and food.

• Regular maintenance helps: a monthly flush with the baking soda + vinegar method can prevent future clogs.

• If multiple fixtures are clogged (toilet, sink, shower all slow), it may point to a main sewer line clog—call a professional immediately.

• In damp climates like Seattle/Tacoma, pipes may stay moist longer, which encourages growth of slimy biofilm inside pipes. That biofilm makes clogs more likely.