Your Drain Isn't Clogged—It's Just Disgusting

Your bathroom sink drains like molasses. You poured Drano down it three times. It helped for a day, then went right back to being slow.

That's because you don't have a clog. You have buildup. Big difference.

What's Actually Happening Down There

Your pipes aren't blocked—they're coated. Soap scum, hair, shaving cream, toothpaste, and whatever else you rinse down there builds up on the walls like plaque in an artery.

Over months (or years, if you're really ignoring it), that 1.5-inch pipe becomes a 1-inch pipe. Then a half-inch pipe. Then you're brushing your teeth in a sink full of standing water.

Why Drano Doesn't Fix It

Drano works on clogs—actual blockages. A wad of hair. A chunk of soap. Something stopping the flow.

But if your whole pipe is crusty? Drano just burns through a little channel and calls it a day. Two days later, you're back to slow drains.

Plus, pouring chemicals down crusty old pipes can actually make things worse. We've pulled out pipes that were so corroded from Drano they were practically held together by hope.

What Actually Works

Hydro jetting: High-pressure water blasts that gunk off the walls. Like a power washer for your pipes. Works great.

Cable snaking: The old-school drain snake scrapes the walls as it goes through. Cheaper than hydro jetting, works for most sinks.

Enzyme cleaners: Bio-Clean and similar products eat away buildup slowly over time. Good for maintenance, not emergencies.

Charlotte Hard Water Makes It Worse

Charlotte's water isn't terrible, but it's hard enough that mineral buildup is real. That white crusty stuff around your faucet? Same thing's happening inside your pipes.

If you have a water softener, great. If not, your drains are fighting an uphill battle.

How to Avoid This Forever

Once a month, run hot water down your drains for 30 seconds after you're done using them. Helps rinse stuff away before it sticks.

Use a hair strainer in the shower. Costs $5, saves you hundreds in plumber visits.

Every 6 months, dump some enzyme cleaner down there overnight. Keeps things flowing smooth.

Or just call a plumber every couple years for a good cleaning. Way cheaper than waiting until nothing drains at all.