Clogged Drain in Ogden, UT

Common Causes of Stubborn Clogs in Ogden Homes

Understanding what causes a clog is the first step in preventing future issues. In the Ogden area, Royal Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning frequently encounters blockages caused by a combination of daily use and local environmental factors.

Kitchen Sinks

The primary culprits are fats, oils, and grease (FOG). When washed down the drain, these substances cool, solidify, and coat the inside of your pipes. Over time, food particles and soap residue stick to this greasy layer, creating a dense, hard-to-remove blockage.

Bathroom Drains

In showers, bathtubs, and sinks, the most common cause of clogs is a mixture of hair, soap scum, and toothpaste. These materials bind together to form a mat that traps water and eventually stops the flow completely.

Toilets

Toilets are only designed to handle human waste and toilet paper. Flushing items like “flushable” wipes, paper towels, cotton swabs, or feminine hygiene products can easily create severe blockages deep within your plumbing lines.

Main Sewer Line

Clogs in the main line that connects your home to the municipal sewer system are more serious. These are often caused by invasive tree roots seeking water, a buildup of mineral deposits from Ogden’s hard water, or the collapse of old, deteriorating pipes.

Our Professional Drain Cleaning Methods

While DIY chemical cleaners might seem like a quick fix, they often do more harm than good, corroding pipes without fully clearing the obstruction. At Royal Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning, we rely on proven, professional methods that are both safe and highly effective.

Drain Snaking (Augering)

For most common household clogs, drain snaking is the go-to solution. We use a professional-grade motorized auger with a long, flexible steel cable. The tip of the cable is fitted with a specialized blade or hook. As we feed the cable into the drain, it rotates, either breaking up the clog into smaller pieces that can be flushed away or hooking onto the obstruction so it can be pulled out completely. This method is highly effective for removing hair, soap scum, and other solid blockages without risking damage to your pipes.

Hydro-Jetting: The Ultimate Drain Cleaning Solution

When you’re facing a severe, recurring clog caused by years of buildup, hydro-jetting is the most powerful and comprehensive solution available. This technique uses a specialized hose and nozzle to blast highly pressurized water through your pipes. It is a chemical-free process that accomplishes what snaking cannot:

Complete Debris Removal

Hydro-jetting doesn’t just poke a hole through the clog; it scours the entire inner diameter of the pipe. It obliterates everything in its path, including thick grease, dense sludge, stubborn mineral scale, and even invasive tree roots.

Restores Pipe Condition

By removing all the buildup, hydro-jetting restores your pipes to a like-new condition, improving flow capacity and significantly reducing the likelihood of future clogs.

Long-Term Prevention

Because it provides such a thorough cleaning, hydro-jetting is the best preventative maintenance you can perform on your plumbing system, especially for older homes in Ogden with cast iron or clay pipes.

Video Camera Pipe Inspection

To ensure we provide the right solution, we often begin with a video camera inspection. We insert a small, waterproof camera into your drain line to get a real-time view of what’s happening inside your pipes. This diagnostic tool allows our experts at Royal Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning to pinpoint the exact location and nature of the clog, identify any underlying issues like cracks or pipe corrosion, and confirm that the blockage has been completely removed after our service.

Signs You Need to Call a Professional

Don’t wait for a small issue to become a major plumbing emergency. Contact Royal Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning if you notice any of these warning signs:

1. Slow Drains: If water in your sink, shower, or tub takes a long time to drain, it’s a clear sign of a developing blockage.
2. Gurgling Sounds: Strange gurgling or bubbling noises coming from your drains indicate that air is trapped in the pipes by an obstruction.
3. Foul Odors: Persistent bad smells coming from your drains are often caused by trapped, decaying food particles or sewage buildup.
4. Water Backups: If using one fixture causes water to back up in another—for example, flushing the toilet makes water rise in the shower—you likely have a clog in your main sewer line.
5. Frequent Clogging: If you have to deal with the same clogged drain repeatedly, it means an underlying issue needs to be addressed professionally.