Slow drains are one of the most common plumbing complaints we get from Madison homeowners. The good news is that many clogs can be handled without a plumber. The bad news is that many homeowners make the problem significantly worse before calling for help — usually by reaching for a bottle of chemical drain cleaner.
This guide covers everything you need to know: what causes clogs, what works, what doesn't, and when to pick up the phone.
What causes most household clogs
Kitchen drains
The most common cause of kitchen drain clogs in Madison homes is grease accumulation. Hot cooking grease poured down the drain seems liquid, but as it cools inside your pipes it solidifies and sticks — catching food particles, coffee grounds, and debris over time until it restricts or fully blocks flow. This type of clog is deep in the line and rarely responds to a plunger.
Bathroom drains
Hair is the primary culprit in bathroom sink and shower drains. Combined with soap scum and residue, hair builds up just below the drain cover and can usually be removed manually or with a basic drain snake. Toilet clogs are most often caused by too much toilet paper, or by items that should never be flushed — wipes (even "flushable" ones), cotton products, and similar items.
Main line clogs
If multiple drains in your home are slow simultaneously, or you notice water backing up in unexpected places (like water in your shower when you flush the toilet), you likely have a main line blockage. This is a job for a professional — main line clogs often involve tree roots, grease buildup, or collapsed pipe sections that require camera inspection and specialized equipment.
What actually works
The plunger (cup plunger)
A good cup plunger is the correct first tool for most bathroom sink and shower clogs. Use it with a full seal around the drain and firm, consistent strokes. Don't use a flange plunger (the ones with the extended rubber flap) for sinks — these are designed for toilets only.
Manual drain snake
For bathroom drains, a 25-foot manual drain snake is a worthwhile $20–30 investment. Feed it slowly into the drain and rotate as you push to break up or hook the clog. This handles most hair clogs easily.
Boiling water + dish soap (for grease clogs)
Pour a generous amount of dish soap (Dawn works well) down a slow kitchen drain, followed by a kettle of near-boiling water. This can dissolve light grease buildup. It won't work on a fully blocked drain but can speed up a slow one. Don't use boiling water in PVC pipes — near-boiling is fine.
Baking soda + white vinegar
Pour half a cup of baking soda followed by half a cup of white vinegar. Let it fizz for 30 minutes, then flush with hot water. This works reasonably well for maintaining drains and clearing minor buildup. It's not strong enough for serious clogs.
What doesn't work — and what makes things worse
⚠️ Chemical drain cleaners (Drano, Liquid-Plumr, etc.) cause more problems than they solve. They damage PVC pipes over time, corrode older metal pipes, create dangerous chemical reactions with other cleaning products, and often don't fully clear the clog — leaving behind a chemical slurry that makes the plumber's job harder. We strongly advise against them.
Chemical cleaners also leave a toxic residue in your pipes. When we snake a drain that's been treated with chemicals, our technicians have to take extra precautions to avoid chemical burns. The clog is still there — now it's just chemically contaminated.
When to call a professional
- Multiple drains are slow or backing up simultaneously
- The clog has not cleared after a plunger and manual snake attempt
- You can hear gurgling from other drains when you use one fixture
- The same drain clogs repeatedly within weeks
- There's any sewage smell coming from drains
- Water is backing up from floor drains in the basement
How professional drain cleaning works
When we clear a drain professionally, we use one of two methods depending on the location and severity: a motorized drain auger (drain snake) for most residential clogs, or hydro-jetting for severe buildups and main line clogs. Hydro-jetting uses pressurized water to blast through grease and debris, leaving the pipe walls clean rather than just punching a hole through the clog.
For main line issues, we'll often run a camera through the line first to identify the exact cause — roots, grease, pipe damage, or a belly in the line — so we're treating the actual problem rather than guessing.