Drain problems can disrupt your entire day, especially when they keep happening. If you live in Van Nuys and notice the same sink taking longer to drain or your toilet bubbling every time you flush, you’re not alone. Many homeowners in the area deal with drain blockages that don’t stay gone for long. It might seem like a minor issue at first, but letting it go unchecked can lead to much bigger problems in your plumbing system.
Recurring clogs often point to a deeper issue than just hair stuck in the tub or food debris in the kitchen sink. Clearing them once doesn’t guarantee a long-term fix. For Van Nuys homeowners, knowing why drain blockages keep coming back and what methods are safe and effective can make a big difference in the overall health of your plumbing. The sooner you deal with it, the lower your chances of facing property damage, foul odors, or even sewer backups.
Common Causes Of Recurring Drain Blockages
If your drains keep getting clogged no matter how often you clear them, the problem may be starting deeper in the system. Understanding what causes these repeated blockages is the first step toward stopping them for good.
Here are some of the most common reasons:
– Hair, grease, and soap buildup: Bathrooms and kitchens tend to collect sticky residues that build up over time. Hair often binds with soap and forms clumps that slow water flow. In the kitchen, grease from cooking can line the inside of pipes, hardening as it cools.
– Tree root invasion: Outdoor sewer lines, especially in older Van Nuys homes, may have small cracks or loose joints. Tree roots naturally seek out moisture and can find their way into tiny openings, growing over time and blocking the pipe.
– Flushing the wrong items: Toilets aren’t meant to handle anything beyond waste and toilet paper. Items like wipes (even those labeled “flushable”), paper towels, cotton swabs, feminine hygiene products, and small toys can cause stubborn clogs that don’t go away with plunging.
Homeowners may overlook these causes until there’s a pattern of repeated problems throughout the house. For example, some may find themselves clearing the same shower drain multiple times a month or dealing with frequent bubbling in the tub when the washing machine drains. These aren’t just random problems—they’re signs something deeper needs attention.
DIY Methods To Temporarily Alleviate Blockages
While it’s never a permanent fix, some basic methods can provide short-term relief for minor clogs while you’re waiting on professional help. These techniques may give you some temporary drainage improvement, though recurrent clogs typically require more complete solutions.
Here’s what you can try:
1. Plunging: A plunger can be used on sinks, tubs, and toilets. Make sure there’s enough water to cover the plunger cup, and apply steady, firm pressure. For kitchen sinks, use a cup plunger. For toilets, use a flange plunger.
2. Baking soda and vinegar flush: Pour about half a cup of baking soda into the drain followed by half a cup of vinegar. Let it fizz for 10 to 15 minutes, then run hot water. This may help break up certain greasy buildups, but won’t work on every type of block.
3. Chemical drain cleaners (with caution): These are widely sold, but most contain harsh chemicals that can eat away at your pipes over time. They may give temporary results but can cause damage if used often or poured into older plumbing.
These temporary fixes don’t address what’s happening deeper in your plumbing. If you’re needing to repeat these steps often, the issue likely goes beyond the reach of DIY solutions. Once you’ve had to use the plunger more than once or gone through a few drain cleaner bottles in a month, it’s time to think about what’s happening beneath the surface.
When To Call Professional Drain Cleaning Services
There’s a big difference between a one-time clog and a repeating issue that keeps coming back. If you’ve tried clearing out your drains a few times and the same problem returns, it’s likely time to bring in professionals. Some signs aren’t easy to ignore — for example, foul smells from multiple drains or gurgling noises when appliances are running. These could mean you’ve got a blocked main line, not just a single fixture issue.
A severely clogged drain might cause backups in places where you’re not even using water. You could flush the toilet but see water rise in your bathtub. When clogs are affecting more than one area of your home, that’s a strong indicator the issue is further down the line. Surface-level tools like plungers or store-bought cleaners won’t reach that far.
Our professionals use more advanced tools and equipment to locate and clear these deep blockages. Methods like hydro jetting work by using high-pressure water to fully clean the inside of your pipes. Unlike quick DIY tricks, this approach removes buildup, not just loose clogs. Our technicians also inspect your system to spot damage from tree roots or aging pipes before it gets worse. Fixing these problems early on protects your entire plumbing setup and lowers the risk of repeated clogs, leaks, or overflows.
Preventative Tips To Avoid Future Blockages
Keeping your drains clear for the long run often comes down to what goes into them regularly. A few small changes in daily habits can prevent most clogs from forming in the first place.
Here are some tips to help prevent future issues:
– Avoid pouring grease, oil, or food scraps into sinks. Use mesh screens to trap debris, especially in kitchen and bathroom drains.
– Don’t flush anything besides toilet paper. Even wipes marked “flushable” can collect and cause blockages down the line.
– Run hot water through your kitchen sink after doing dishes. It helps move along any grease that might have slipped through.
– Add hair catchers in shower drains and clean them out weekly before buildup becomes a problem.
– Schedule regular inspections by our professionals to catch small issues early and keep your drain lines clear.
These small practices add up. Most long-term drain issues happen after months, sometimes years, of unseen buildup. Staying aware of what’s going down your drains makes a lasting difference, especially in older homes around Van Nuys. Regular maintenance is the easiest way to reduce the chances of a sudden plumbing problem.
Keeping Your Van Nuys Drains Clear And Free-Flowing
Living with repeated drain blockages isn’t something Van Nuys homeowners have to accept. Whether it’s kitchen grease buildup, root infiltration outside, or poor flushing habits, there’s typically an identifiable cause behind recurring drain problems. Once you know what to watch for and understand how fast an overlooked clog can grow, it becomes easier to know when to act.
Trying to tackle a major blockage without the right tools or training often adds to the issue. Clearing a surface clog might offer temporary relief, but deeper problems in your plumbing system will continue to return until they’re handled fully. Getting a thorough inspection and a professional cleaning is the best way to solve persistent drain issues and keep your home’s drainage working the way it should. Taking care of it early saves time, stress, and the cost of emergency plumbing repairs down the road.
If recurring drain blockages continue to disrupt your daily routine, it may be time to schedule a professional evaluation with the trusted team at Just One Call, Inc. We provide expert drain cleaning in Van Nuys to effectively target the root of the problem and help keep your plumbing system flowing smoothly. For a quick estimate or to book a service visit, please contact us today.