The most common causes: grease, roots, scale, debris, and structural issues.
Grease and fat are the leading cause of drain clogs in both residential and commercial properties. Even ‘liquid’ grease poured down a drain solidifies as it cools and travels through the cooler sections of the pipe. Over time it builds up on the pipe walls, narrowing the flow until the pipe blocks.
Root intrusion is the second most common cause in the Atlanta metro area. Tree roots seek water, and sewer lines — even well-sealed ones — eventually develop small cracks or loose joints that emit water vapor. Roots find them, grow in, and expand until they cause a blockage or structural damage.
Scale and mineral buildup accumulates in hard water areas. Soap scum, paper products (wipes marketed as ‘flushable’ do not break down like toilet paper), foreign objects, and sand/sediment from groundwater intrusion are other causes. Structural issues — bellied pipe, pipe offsets, collapsed sections — cause clogs by creating spots where waste pools or cannot flow past.
The camera inspection shows us which cause you are dealing with, which matters because the right solution depends on the cause.
Questions about your pipes? Call Sunburst Environmental at 678-799-4389 — same-day response across Metro Atlanta and North Georgia. Or request a free estimate online.