Drains & Clogs
Plumbing Category · 40 entries
Bathtub Drain Clogged With Hair: How to Clear It Fast
How to remove hair from a bathtub drain, clear a complete blockage, and stop hair clogs from happening again. WA plumber reviewed with 30 years experience.
Clean P-traps annually
Pulling and cleaning the P-trap under each sink once a year prevents slow drains and odor. Here's the procedure, the WA-specific notes, and when not to try.
Clogged Drain: How to Clear It and When to Call a Plumber
How to clear a clogged drain in a sink, tub, or shower — and when the clog requires a plumber. WA plumber reviewed with 29 years experience.
Drain Camera Inspection: What It Costs, What They Find, and When You Need One
What a drain camera inspection costs in Seattle, when you need one, and what plumbers look for. WA plumber reviewed with 24 years experience.
Drain Cleaning Service: What It Costs, What They Do, and When to Call
What professional drain cleaning costs in Seattle, when to call vs. DIY, and the difference between snaking and hydro-jetting. WA plumber reviewed with 22 years experience.
Drain Smells Like Rotten Eggs: Causes and Fixes
Why your drain smells like rotten eggs or sulfur and how to fix it. WA plumber reviewed with 16 years experience.
Drain Snake vs. Hydro Jetting: Which One Do You Actually Need?
Drain snake vs. hydro jetting — how to know which one you need, cost difference, and when snaking isn't enough. WA plumber reviewed with 28 years experience.
Dry P-Trap Sewer Smell: How to Fix It
How to identify and fix sewer smell from a dry P-trap. WA plumber reviewed with 14 years experience.
Foul Odor from Drain: Causes and How to Get Rid of It
Why drains smell bad and how to fix it — from dry P-traps to biofilm buildup. WA plumber reviewed with 11 years experience.
Garbage Disposal Maintenance for Washington Homeowners
How to keep a garbage disposal running — the dos, don'ts, and simple fixes for jams and odors. Reviewed by a WA plumber.
Grease Clogged Kitchen Drain: How to Clear It and Keep It Clear
How to clear a kitchen drain clogged with grease, what actually works vs. what doesn't, and how to prevent grease buildup. WA plumber reviewed with 20 years experience.
Gurgling Sounds from Drain: What They Mean and How to Fix It
Why drains gurgle and what to do about it — from partial clogs to venting problems. WA plumber reviewed with 19 years experience.
Gurgling Sounds in Pipes: Causes and What to Do
Why pipes gurgle, what it means, and when to call a plumber. WA plumber reviewed with 11 years experience.
Hair and Soap Scum in Drains: How to Clear It and Keep It Clear
How to remove hair and soap scum from shower and tub drains, what actually dissolves them, and how to prevent buildup. WA plumber reviewed with 16 years experience.
How to Fix a Gurgling Toilet When the Shower Drains (Step-by-Step)
Why your toilet gurgles when the shower drains — a vent or blockage issue — and how to fix it. Reviewed by a WA plumber.
How to Remove Roots from Pipes: Methods and What Actually Works
Effective methods for removing tree roots from drain and sewer pipes, and what doesn't work. WA plumber reviewed with 20 years experience.
How to Unclog a Drain: Step-by-Step Guide (WA Homeowner Guide)
Clear a clogged sink, tub, or shower drain step by step without damaging your pipes. Reviewed by a WA plumber.
How to Use Drain Cleaners Safely: A Washington Homeowner’s Guide
When chemical drain cleaners are safe, when they damage pipes, and safer ways to clear a clog. Reviewed by a WA plumber.
Hydro Jetting vs. Snaking: Which One Is Right for Your Drain?
Hydro jetting vs. drain snaking — cost difference, when each is the right choice, and when snaking isn't enough. WA plumber reviewed with 27 years experience.
Hydro Jetting: What It Is, What It Costs, and When You Need It
What hydro jetting costs, how it works, and whether you need it vs. standard snaking. WA-specific pricing 2026. WA plumber reviewed with 17 years experience.
Hydro-Jetting Drain Cleaning in Washington State: What to Expect and When to Call a Pro
How hydro-jetting clears tough drain and sewer clogs with high-pressure water, what it costs, and when to call a pro. Reviewed by a WA plumber.
Leaking Drain Trap Nuts: How to Tighten or Replace Them
How to fix leaking slip-joint nuts on drain trap connections. WA plumber reviewed with 16 years experience.
Natural Drain Cleaner Alternatives: What Actually Works
Does baking soda and vinegar actually clear drains? What natural drain cleaners work vs. don't, and when you need something stronger. WA plumber reviewed with 23 years experience.
Old Cast Iron Drain Smell: Causes and Fixes
Why old cast iron drains smell like sewage and what to do about it. WA plumber reviewed with 19 years experience.
P-Trap Plumbing Problems: What Goes Wrong and How to Fix It
Common P-trap problems — leaks, clogs, sewer smell — and how to fix them. WA plumber reviewed with 22 years experience.
P-Trap Replacement Under Sink: Step-by-Step Guide
How to replace the P-trap under a sink — step-by-step with parts and tools. WA plumber reviewed with 25 years experience.
Repeated drain clogs
Drain clogs that keep coming back almost always mean a structural cause - roots, a belly, Orangeburg, or grease. Here's the diagnostic decision tree.
Sewage Smell in the House: Causes and How to Find It
Why your house smells like sewage, how to find the source, and what fixes the most common causes. WA plumber reviewed with 28 years experience.
Should I rent a power auger or call a plumber
Renting a power auger costs $50–$100/day; a pro mainline snake runs $200–$500. The decision turns on pipe age, tree-root risk, and where the clog is.
Slow drains throughout house
When every drain is slow at once, the cause is downstream of all branches — usually the building drain or side sewer. Here's the diagnostic and the next step.
Toilet Gurgles When Shower Drains: Causes and Fixes
Moderate · 10 min. Why your toilet bubbles or gurgles when the shower drains and what to do about it. WA plumber reviewed with 28 years experience.
Trap seal loss
Trap seal loss is the umbrella term for every mechanism that empties a trap: siphonage, evaporation, capillary action, foaming, wind.
Tree Roots Clogged Drain: What to Do
What to do when tree roots clog your drain, how to clear it, and how to prevent it from recurring. WA plumber reviewed with 16 years experience.
Under Sink Leak at P-Trap: Causes and How to Fix It
How to find and fix a leaking P-trap under the sink. WA plumber reviewed with 27 years experience.
Vent obstruction
A vent obstruction is anything blocking the vent stack air path. Symptoms cascade through every drain: gurgling, slow flow, sewer smell.
Why does my sink drain slowly
Most slow sinks are hair, soap, or grease at the trap. Here's the 5-minute DIY ladder before you call a plumber.
Why Is My Shower Draining Slowly? Causes and Fixes
Why your shower drains slowly and how to fix it yourself. From hair clogs to gurgling sounds to deeper pipe issues. WA plumber reviewed with 19 years experience.
Why Is My Toilet Gurgling When the Shower Drains?
What a gurgling toilet during a shower means — a venting or partial-blockage issue — and how to fix it. Reviewed by a WA plumber.
Why Regular Drain Cleaning Matters (And When to Call a Pro)
Why routine drain cleaning prevents clogs and backups, and when a slow drain means it's time to call a pro. Reviewed by a WA plumber.
Why won't my tub drain hold water
If your tub stopper won't seal, the trip-lever linkage is usually out of adjustment. Lift rod too short, worn plunger, or hair around the stopper are the top causes.