Drain Cleaning in Salt Lake City: What Works, What Doesn't, and When to Call Terry's Plumbing
If you live in Salt Lake City, you've probably dealt with a slow or clogged drain at some point. Between hard Utah water, hair and soap buildup in bathrooms, and cooking grease in kitchens, drain clogs are one of the most common plumbing complaints homeowners face. The good news: most drain issues can be solved quickly — if you know what you're doing.
At Terry's Plumbing, we've been clearing drains for Salt Lake City homeowners since 1989. Here's our complete guide to drain cleaning.
Why Drains Get Clogged in Salt Lake City Homes
Salt Lake City has some of the hardest water in the United States. High mineral content — especially calcium and magnesium — causes scale buildup inside pipes over time, narrowing the passage for water and making it easier for hair, grease, and soap scum to catch and form clogs.
The most common causes of drain clogs we see include:
Kitchen Drains: Grease, cooking oil, food particles, and coffee grounds are the top culprits. Even "flushable" wipes and paper towels can cause significant blockages if washed down the drain.
Bathroom Drains: Hair is the number one cause of bathroom drain clogs. Combined with soap scum and shampoo residue, it forms a dense mat that water can barely pass through.
Floor Drains and Laundry Drains: Lint from laundry, dirt, and small objects can clog utility drains over time.
Main Sewer Lines: Tree roots are common in Salt Lake City's older neighborhoods. As trees grow, roots seek out the moisture in sewer pipes, eventually cracking and infiltrating them.
DIY Drain Cleaning: What Actually Works
Before calling a plumber, there are a few things you can try:
1. A Drain Snake (Hand Auger): For most bathroom sink and tub clogs caused by hair, a $15–30 hand drain snake from a hardware store works surprisingly well. Insert it into the drain, rotate it, and pull out the clog. This is the most effective DIY method.
2. Boiling Water: For minor kitchen grease clogs, slowly pouring boiling water down the drain can help dissolve the buildup. Don't use boiling water on PVC pipes, however — it can soften them.
3. Baking Soda and Vinegar: This creates a fizzing reaction that can loosen minor clogs. Pour half a cup of baking soda followed by half a cup of white vinegar, wait 30 minutes, then flush with hot water. It's not as powerful as a snake, but works for light clogs.
4. A Plunger: A cup plunger (flat-bottomed) is ideal for sink drains. Create a seal, push down firmly, and pull up sharply. Repeat several times. Make sure there's enough water in the sink to cover the plunger cup.
What Doesn't Work (And What Can Make Things Worse)
Chemical Drain Cleaners: Products like Drano and Liquid-Plumr contain harsh chemicals that can damage older pipes, especially cast iron and PVC connections. They often only partially dissolve clogs, pushing them deeper into the pipe. We strongly advise against regular use of chemical drain cleaners.
Wire Coat Hangers: While the idea seems clever, improvised tools can scratch your drain fixtures and push clogs deeper rather than removing them.
High-Pressure DIY Hydro-Jetting: Rental hydro-jetters require training to use safely. Incorrect pressure can crack older pipes or damage pipe joints.
When to Call a Professional Plumber for Drain Cleaning
Some drain situations definitely call for professional help. Contact Terry's Plumbing at 801-856-9875 if you experience:
- Multiple drains clogging at the same time (this signals a main sewer line problem)
- Gurgling sounds coming from other drains when you flush the toilet
- Water backing up in the bathtub when you run the washing machine
- A sewage smell coming from drains
- A clog that returns within days of clearing it
- Standing water in your yard near the sewer line
Professional Drain Cleaning Methods We Use
At Terry's Plumbing, we use proven, professional-grade methods:
Drain Snaking (Mechanical Augering): Our commercial-grade electric drain snakes can clear clogs that hand snakes can't reach — going 50–100 feet into your drain lines to break up and retrieve blockages.
Hydro-Jetting: For severe buildup or recurring clogs, high-pressure water jetting (up to 4,000 PSI) scours the inside of your pipes clean. This is especially effective for grease accumulation in kitchen lines and mineral scale from Salt Lake City's hard water.
Camera Inspection: Before major drain work, we can run a small camera through your drain line to pinpoint exactly what and where the problem is. This prevents unnecessary digging or guesswork.
Maintaining Clear Drains Year-Round
Prevention is always cheaper than repair. Our Salt Lake City drain maintenance tips:
- Install hair catchers in all shower and tub drains (clean them weekly)
- Never pour cooking grease down the kitchen drain — collect it in a container and dispose of it in the trash
- Run hot water for 30 seconds after washing dishes
- Use a enzymatic drain cleaner (like Bio-Clean) monthly to break down organic buildup without harming pipes
- Have your main sewer line camera-inspected every 3–5 years, especially in older Salt Lake neighborhoods like Sugar House, Avenues, and Capitol Hill where tree root intrusion is common
Schedule Drain Cleaning in Salt Lake City
Terry's Plumbing serves Salt Lake City, Draper, Sandy, Murray, Millcreek, West Jordan, South Jordan, Holladay, and the greater Wasatch Front. We're a family-owned business with over 35 years of experience, licensed and fully insured.
Call us at 801-856-9875 or visit terrysplumbingcompany.com to schedule your drain cleaning service today.