Drain Cleaning Tips Every Inland Empire Homeowner Should Know

Clogged drains are one of the most common plumbing problems in Inland Empire homes — and one of the most preventable. Understanding what causes clogs and how to address them early can save you significant time, money, and frustration.

The Most Common Causes of Clogged Drains

Kitchen drains: Grease and cooking oil are the number one culprit. When grease goes down the drain, it is liquid. As it cools, it solidifies and sticks to pipe walls, gradually building up until the drain slows or stops entirely. Food particles, coffee grounds, and eggshells compound the problem.

Bathroom drains: Hair is the main cause of bathroom drain clogs. Combined with soap scum, it creates a dense mat that catches everything else that goes down the drain.

Main sewer line: Tree roots are a major cause of main line clogs in the Inland Empire. Roots are naturally drawn to the moisture and nutrients in sewer lines and can infiltrate pipes through small cracks, eventually causing complete blockages.

Prevention Tips

• Never pour grease or cooking oil down the drain. Let it cool and dispose of it in the trash.
• Use a drain strainer in your shower and tub to catch hair before it enters the pipe.
• Run hot water down kitchen drains after washing dishes to help flush residual grease.
• Have your main sewer line camera-inspected every few years if you have mature trees near your sewer line.

When To Call a Plumber

If a plunger does not clear a clog, or if the clog keeps coming back, there is likely a deeper issue. Store-bought chemical drain cleaners may seem like a quick fix, but they can damage pipes over time — especially older cast iron or galvanized steel pipes common in Inland Empire homes built before the 1980s.

Professional drain cleaning with snaking or hydro jetting gets to the root of the problem. Hydro jetting completely scours pipe walls clean, removing years of buildup and leaving your pipes flowing like new.

Regal Plumbing & Rooter provides professional drain cleaning throughout the Inland Empire including Upland, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, Fontana, Pomona, Corona, West Covina, and Chino. Call (909) 600-4561 for same-day service.