Clogged drains are the everyday plumbing problem, and in Fayetteville they show up in every kind of home, from new builds to houses that have been around since the 1950s. In a city where 44.1% of homes were built before 1980, many drain lines have decades of buildup inside them, and some have tree roots working their way into the joints underground.
Typical clogs and where they come from
Kitchen sink.
Grease and food waste cool and harden in the trap and the pipe behind the cabinet.
Tub and shower.
Hair tangles with soap scum in the drain and the trap.
Bathroom sink.
Toothpaste, hair and soap collect around the pop-up stopper.
Toilet.
Thick paper, wipes, cotton swabs or a small toy.
Washer drain.
Lint and soap residue narrow the standpipe and the line beyond it.
Signs of a main line problem
One slow fixture is usually a local clog. It is more likely the main drain or sewer line when:
- Several drains are slow at once.
- Water comes up in the tub when you flush a toilet.
- Drains gurgle while the washer or dishwasher empties.
- You smell sewage in the house or yard.
- Drains act up after heavy rain.
That last one matters in Fayetteville, which gets about 44.58 inches of rain a year. Wet ground can push water into cracked sewer pipe and make an existing blockage worse. See sewer line repair in Fayetteville if this sounds familiar.
Safe things to try first
- Use a cup plunger on sinks and tubs and a flange plunger on toilets.
- Pull the stopper and clean out hair and gunk.
- Remove and clean the trap under a sink, with a bucket in place.
Leave the chemical drain cleaners on the shelf. They seldom clear a full clog, they are hard on pipes and fittings, and they put the next person to open the drain at risk.
How a plumber clears a drain
For a single fixture, a plumber usually runs a hand or machine cable through the drain or trap. For a main line, they use a heavier machine with cutting heads that break through roots and buildup, entering through a cleanout. Some use high pressure water jetting to scour the pipe walls.
If the same line clogs again and again, ask for a camera inspection. It shows whether the cause is grease, a belly in the pipe, roots or a broken joint, and saves paying for repeat clearing.
For tenants and landlords
More than half of Fayetteville households rent. Tenants should report a slow or clogged drain early, before it overflows. Landlords can ask the plumber to note what caused the clog, since grease and wipes are a tenant habit while roots and broken pipe are a repair for the owner.
Keep drains flowing
- Wipe greasy pans with a paper towel before washing, and put cooled grease in the trash.
- Fit hair catchers in tubs and showers.
- Flush toilet paper only.
- Run hot water for a few seconds after using the kitchen sink.
- Find your outside cleanout cap so it is easy to reach in an emergency.
What it costs
We have not found a published Fayetteville price for drain cleaning, and the cost varies with which line is blocked and how the plumber gets to it. A sink trap is a quick job; a main line cleared through a buried cleanout takes longer. Ask for the price before work starts and whether a camera inspection is part of it. More in our Fayetteville plumber cost guide.
Common questions
Why do my drains back up when it rains?
Rainwater can get into a cracked or root damaged sewer line and add to the load, so a partly blocked line overflows at the lowest drain. A camera inspection shows where the damage is.
Is it safe to use drain cleaner?
It is better to avoid it. Chemical cleaners rarely clear a full clog and can damage pipes. Try a plunger or call a plumber.
How do I know if it is the main line?
If more than one drain is slow, or water appears in the tub when you flush, the clog is probably in the main line rather than one fixture.