Why Does My Drain Keep Clogging? (Snake vs. Hydro Jet) — Los Angeles Homeowner’s Guide

A clogged drain is annoying. A drain that clogs again and again—even after you’ve already had it cleaned—is flat-out maddening.

And if you live in Los Angeles, it probably feels like recurring drain problems are just part of everyday life. You snake it… it works for a little while… and then a few weeks later, the toilet backs up, the shower drains slow again, or the kitchen sink won’t empty.

But the truth is:

👉 A drain that continually clogs is telling you something.
👉 There is a deeper issue inside your plumbing system.

At JMS Express Plumbing, we’ve been unclogging drains in Los Angeles for decades. From Hollywood to Sherman Oaks to Beverly Hills to Culver City—and everywhere in between—clogged drains and sewer backups are one of the MOST common plumbing issues we see.

Why?
Because Los Angeles has the perfect combination of:

• Older plumbing systems

• Massive tree root growth

• Hard water buildup

• Grease-heavy cooking habits

• Dense population and multi-unit buildings

• Lots of old cast-iron and clay sewer lines

• Soil movement that shifts underground pipes

In this in-depth guide, you’ll learn:

• Why your drain keeps clogging (the real reasons)

• The difference between snaking and hydro jetting

• Which one is best for your situation

• Warning signs you’re dealing with a sewer line problem

• How to prevent clogs permanently

• How JMS Express Plumbing solves drain issues for good

Let’s get into it.

Section 1: Why Your Drain Keeps Clogging — The Real Causes (Especially in Los Angeles)

Most homeowners think a clog is caused by hair, food, or grease—and sometimes that’s true.

But when clogs happen repeatedly, the cause is almost NEVER the surface debris.

It’s what’s happening deep inside the pipe.

Below are the top Los Angeles-specific reasons drains clog again and again.

Reason #1: Tree Roots Invading the Sewer Line (Extremely Common in LA)

This is the #1 cause of recurring clogs in Los Angeles.

LA is filled with mature trees—Ficus, eucalyptus, jacaranda, palms, and oak trees with extremely invasive roots. These roots aggressively seek out moisture and grow directly into tiny cracks in old sewer pipes.

Once roots enter the line, they:

• Block flow

• Trap toilet paper

• Catch grease & debris

• Form a “net” across the pipe

• Cause repeated backups

Snaking may temporarily break apart the root ball, but it does not remove all the roots.

This is why clogs return.

Signs your clog is caused by roots:

✔ Slow draining in multiple fixtures
✔ Gurgling sounds from drains
✔ Toilets backing up into showers or tubs
✔ Frequent clogs even after snaking
✔ Foul sewer smell outside
✔ Home built before the 1980s

If your home is in older neighborhoods like Los Feliz, Highland Park, Sherman Oaks, Van Nuys, Hollywood, Pasadena, or Valley Village, root intrusion is extremely common.

Reason #2: Old Cast Iron or Clay Pipes Are Failing

Many LA homes were built between the 1920s–1970s and still use:

• Cast iron pipes

• Clay sewer lines

• Orangeburg (paper-based) piping

These materials deteriorate over time.

Cast iron rusts and flakes, narrowing the pipe.
Clay pipes crack and separate as the ground moves.
Orangeburg collapses and becomes oval-shaped.

When pipes deteriorate, they:

• Catch debris

• Allow roots in

• Create repeat clogs

• Cause sewage backups

A simple snake cannot fix a collapsing pipe.

Reason #3: Grease Buildup (Huge Problem in LA Kitchens)

Because LA is a foodie city with heavy home cooking, grease buildup is a BIG problem.

Oil and fat harden inside pipes, creating thick layers that narrow the drain line.

Even running hot water does NOT fix grease buildup.

Snaking may temporarily punch a small hole, but the grease reforms—and clogs return.

Common signs:

✔ Kitchen sink drains slowly
✔ Gurgling after running dishwasher
✔ “Sour” or foul smell from sink
✔ Clogs every few weeks

Hydro jetting is usually required for grease-heavy lines.

Reason #4: Hard Water Mineral Deposits

Los Angeles has extremely hard water, meaning it is full of minerals.

Over time, minerals form:

• Scale deposits

• Thick crusts inside drain pipes

• Narrowed passageways that easily clog

This is especially common in:

• Bathroom drains

• Laundry drain lines

• Homes without water softeners

Mineral buildup is too strong for snaking to remove.

Reason #5: Accumulated Debris, Hair, Soap Scum, and Paper Products

These cause clogs when:

• Pipes are already narrowed

• Old plumbing can’t handle modern waste

• Low-flow fixtures don’t push debris through

Shower drains often clog repeatedly due to:

• Long hair

• Soap residue

• Shaving products

• Hard water mixing with soap to form “stone”

But again, if clogs happen frequently, there is a deeper pipe issue beneath it.

Reason #6: Poor Plumbing Design or Improper Slope (Common in Renovated Homes)

Many LA homes were renovated quickly or cheaply.

We often see:

• Improper drain slope

• Too many bends

• Incorrect pipe size

• DIY plumbing work

Improper plumbing design causes waste to slow down or settle, eventually clogging.

Reason #7: Shared Drain Lines in Duplexes and Apartments

If you live in a duplex, triplex, fourplex, or apartment building, your neighbors’ habits affect your plumbing.

• Their grease becomes your clog

• Their hair becomes your blockage

• Their wipes cause your backup

If the main building line is clogged, all units may experience backups.

Reason #8: Flushing “Flushable” Wipes (Not Actually Flushable)

Flushable wipes do not break down like toilet paper.

Instead, they cause:

• Blockages

• Sewer backups

• Fiber nets inside pipes

LA plumbers see this every day.

Reason #9: Sewer Line Belly (Sagging Pipe)

Soil in Los Angeles shifts constantly due to:

• Earthquakes

• Expansive clay soil

• City construction

• Age

A sewer line belly occurs when a section of pipe sags, holding wastewater in one spot.

Debris collects there, causing recurring clogs.

No amount of snaking fixes a sewer belly.

Section 2: Snake vs. Hydro Jet — Which One Do You Really Need?

One of the biggest homeowner questions is:

💬 “Should I snake my drain… or hydro jet it?”

Both are effective tools—but they do VERY different things.

What SNaking Does

A plumbing snake:

• Punches a hole through the clog

• Loosens debris

• Provides temporary drainage

• Works well for simple blockages

But it CANNOT:

• Clean pipe walls

• Remove grease

• Eliminate roots

• Restore full diameter of pipe

• Prevent future clogs

• Remove heavy buildup

Snaking is like poking a hole in a snowstorm.
The snow just fills right back in.

What HYDRO JETTING Does

Hydro jetting uses 4,000 PSI of high-pressure water to:

✔ Completely clean pipe walls
✔ Cut and flush out roots
✔ Remove grease and sludge
✔ Blast out mineral deposits
✔ Restore the full diameter of pipes
✔ Prevent repeat clogs for years

Hydro jetting is far more powerful and effective than snaking.

It doesn’t just punch a hole—it scrubs the pipe clean as if it were new.

Section 3: When You Should SNake a Drain

Snaking works best when:

• The clog is shallow

• The blockage is small

• The home has newer plumbing

• The clog is caused by hair or light debris

• You need a fast, inexpensive fix

Examples:

• Shower drain clogged with hair

• Kitchen sink clogged with food chunks

• Toilet clogged by paper

• Laundry drain blocked by lint

If the clog keeps coming back, snaking is no longer the right solution.

Section 4: When You Should HYDRO JET the Drain

Hydro jetting is the BEST solution when:

• The drain clogs repeatedly

• The sewer line has roots

• There is grease buildup

• The pipe is old

• Multiple fixtures clog at once

• The home has cast iron or clay pipes

• You want a long-term solution

Hydro jetting solves the problem permanently, not temporarily.

It is the gold standard for:

• Restaurants

• Multi-unit buildings

• Older homes

• Homes with large trees

Most Los Angeles homeowners with recurring clogs ultimately need hydro jetting.

Section 5: Warning Signs You Need a Sewer Camera Inspection

If you keep experiencing clogs, JMS Express Plumbing will likely recommend a sewer camera inspection.

This reveals the TRUE cause:

• Root intrusion

• Pipe collapse

• Offset joints

• Bellies or dips

• Heavy grease layers

• Mineral deposits

A camera inspection eliminates guesswork and prevents unnecessary costs.

Section 6: How JMS Express Plumbing Fixes Recurring Clogs in Los Angeles

Here's our proven process:

1. Diagnostic Evaluation

We determine whether the issue is:

• Localized

• In the branch line

• In the main sewer line

2. Camera Inspection

We identify:

• Roots

• Grease

• Structural pipe issues

• Bellies

• Cracks

3. Snaking (if appropriate)

Used for:

• Light blockages

• Hair clogs

• Toilet paper issues

4. Hydro Jetting

Used for:

• Roots

• Grease

• Heavy buildup

• Recurrent clogs

Hydro jetting restores full flow and prevents future clogs.

5. Pipe Repair or Replacement (If Needed)

If pipes are failing, we offer:

• Sectional repair

• Trenchless pipe lining

• Trenchless bursting

• Full sewer replacement

Our solutions are designed to LAST.

Section 7: Cost of Snaking vs. Hydro Jetting in Los Angeles

Snaking:

$125 – $350
(Depends on drain location)

Hydro Jetting:

$350 – $900
(Depends on length of line and severity of blockage)

Camera Inspection:

$125 – $300

Hydro jetting is more expensive upfront, but cheaper long-term because it prevents return clogs.

Section 8: How to Prevent Future Drain Clogs

To avoid constant plumbing issues:

✔ Do NOT flush wipes

Even “flushable” ones.

✔ Never pour grease down the drain

Wipe pans with paper towels before washing.

✔ Install hair catchers in showers

Simple and effective.

✔ Schedule annual hydro jetting if you have roots

Most LA homes with mature trees need yearly cleaning.

✔ Check your sewer line every 2–3 years

A camera inspection prevents major repairs.

✔ Install a water softener

Reduces mineral buildup.

Section 9: Final Thoughts — Recurring Clogs Are a Symptom, Not the Problem

If you have to unclog the same drain once a month, once a week, or even once a quarter…

👉 Your drain is not the real problem.
👉 Your pipe is.

Los Angeles plumbing systems deal with unique challenges that make recurring clogs extremely common.

But they are also 100% fixable.

Whether your issue is:

• Tree roots

• Grease

• Old cast-iron pipes

• Clay sewer lines

• Mineral buildup

• Soil shifting

• Wipes

• A bad slope

JMS Express Plumbing can diagnose the issue fast and fix it permanently.

Call JMS Express Plumbing — Los Angeles Drain & Sewer Experts

If your drain keeps clogging, you’re not alone—and it won’t get better on its own.

Let our experienced Los Angeles plumbers solve it the right way the first time.

📞 Call: [Insert JMS Number]
🌐 Visit: JMSExpressPlumbing.com
🚚 Serving all of Los Angeles, the Valley, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Glendale, Pasadena, Burbank & beyond

JMS Express Plumbing — Fast. Clean. Reliable. Local.