The seven signs
1. Slow draining
Water that takes longer to leave a sink or tub means buildup is narrowing the pipe.
2. Gurgling sounds
Air is being pulled through the water seal in a trap because water is not flowing freely.
3. Odors
A smell from a drain can come from trapped debris or a dry trap.
4. Repeat clogs
The same drain clogs every few weeks. Something in the line keeps catching debris.
5. Water at a floor drain
Water appearing in the lowest drain in the house is a main line warning.
6. Fruit flies or drain flies
They breed in the film that builds up inside drains.
7. Several fixtures slow at once
This usually means the clog is in the shared branch or main line.
Local clog or main line
The key is how many drains are affected. A single slow sink is a clog in that fixture or its short branch. If the tub, a toilet and the washer drain also slow down, the blockage is further downstream.
Flush a toilet and watch the shower drain. If it bubbles, air and water are being pushed back through another opening, and the main line is the likely culprit.
What to do for each situation
| Situation | Try first | Call a plumber when |
|---|---|---|
| One slow sink | Clean the strainer and trap | It keeps coming back |
| One slow tub | Remove hair from the drain | Water stands after you clear it |
| Several slow drains | Stop using water | Right away, this is likely the main line |
| Water at a floor drain | Stop using water | Right away |
| Odor only | Run water, clean the trap | It persists |
Seeing these signs?
Call and describe which drains are affected. We will help you decide how urgent it is.
Why chemical cleaners are a poor first move
Store-bought chemical cleaners can burn skin, damage some pipes and leave caustic liquid standing in a blocked drain. If a plumber then has to work on it, the liquid is a hazard. For a slow drain, a hand tool or a plunger is safer.
If a chemical cleaner has already gone down, tell the plumber. It changes how they handle the line. See drain cleaning for what we use instead.
Prevention that works
Use a strainer in kitchen and bath drains. Keep grease out of the kitchen sink. Do not flush wipes or paper towels. Run hot water after washing dishes. These habits prevent most blockages.
If a line has a history of roots or grease, periodic cleaning with a camera check is worthwhile. See hydro jetting for heavy buildup.
What happens inside a drain over time
A drain does not clog all at once. Soap leaves a film that catches hair. Grease cools and coats the walls. Food bits stick and bind with the film. The opening narrows a little each week until the water has barely any room to pass.
That is why a drain that has been slow for a long time can seem to block suddenly. The last bit of room finally closes. Cleaning when it is slow is easier than clearing a full blockage.
Different fixtures, different culprits
Bathroom sinks and tubs usually clog with hair and soap. Kitchen sinks clog with grease and food. Laundry drains clog with lint. Toilets clog from paper and items that should not be flushed. Knowing the usual culprit tells you what to change.
A hair catcher in the tub, a lint trap on the washer hose and a strainer in the kitchen sink prevent most of these.
A monthly drain habit list
- Empty the kitchen strainer into the trash
- Pour hot water down the kitchen drain after dishes
- Pull hair from tub and shower drains
- Clean the bathroom sink stopper
- Check the washer lint screen
- Do not pour grease down any drain
Drains in Bothell and the wet season
Western Washington has a long wet season, and roots grow actively in soil that stays damp. Older lines near mature trees pick up roots at joints. Bothell homes from earlier decades are more likely to have clay or cast iron laterals that roots can enter.
Sewer service in Bothell comes from the City of Bothell or Northshore Utility District, depending on the address. If the problem is in the public main, call them. If it is in your house or on your lot, call us. We serve Kenmore and nearby towns on our service areas page.
Traps and cleanouts are part of the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) as adopted in WAC 51-56, which is why a clog can usually be reached without cutting pipe.
Drain cleaning questions
There is no fixed schedule. Clean when you see a sign. A line with a history of roots or grease may benefit from periodic cleaning.
Roots can be more active when the soil is wet. Kitchen grease clogs happen any time of year.
Call the utility that serves your address, the City of Bothell or Northshore Utility District. If the backup is only in your house, call a plumber.
We advise against it. Rental machines can injure you and damage the pipe. A plumber with a camera can clear it and show you what is wrong.
It is a warning. If it happens in more than one fixture, the main line may be partly blocked.
The City says Bothell water is soft. Soft water does not cause clogs. Soap, grease and hair do.