Sometimes a slow or smelly drain just needs a quick clean. A little buildup, some grease in the line, maybe hair caught in the trap—those are easy fixes. But what if the problem keeps coming back? Or what if cleaning doesn’t seem to help at all?
At Birmingham Drain Cleaning and Sewer Repair, we’ve handled numerous situations where a basic clean wasn’t enough and deeper issues were lurking further down the line. So, how do you know when it’s time to stop relying on quick fixes and bring in professionals for something more effective, like sewer cleaning or drain jetting?
Here are six real-world signs your drain issue runs deeper than just surface gunk.
1. You’ve Already Tried Cleaning and It Didn’t Work
Let’s start with the obvious. If you’ve had someone come out for drain & pipe cleaning and the same issue pops up again a few weeks later, that’s not normal. A good clean should last.
When the drain still backs up after being “cleared,” it could mean there’s a blockage further down the line, or a buildup along the pipe walls that wasn’t fully removed. At this point, it’s time to look at more advanced solutions, like drain jetting, which clears the entire pipe, not just a small path through the clog.
2. Water Backs Up in Strange Places
When you flush the toilet and water gurgles in the shower—or you run the washing machine and your kitchen sink fills
up—that’s a sign of trouble in the main line. These aren’t isolated clogs. They point to a deeper issue in your sewer system.
This is when a plumber needs to inspect the main sewer line and possibly recommend sewer cleaning to clear large-scale obstructions, root intrusion, or even collapsed piping.
3. There’s a Persistent, Sewage-Like Smell
A faint odor might not seem like a big deal at first. But if your drain constantly smells like rotten eggs or raw sewage, even after cleaning, it’s likely that something’s wrong further down the line.
Trapped waste, decomposing material, or backed-up sewer gas can all cause these smells. A proper inspection and often a high-pressure drain jetting service are needed to fully flush the system and restore healthy flow.
4. You’re Seeing Signs of Water Damage or Mold
If a slow or clogged drain is causing water to back up and leak into walls, floors, or cabinetry, it becomes more than a plumbing issue—it’s now a home damage issue. And cleaning the drain isn’t going to fix water-soaked drywall or growing mold.
When drains clog this badly, especially more than once, it’s a red flag that the plumbing system is overdue for a serious look. You may need a deep sewer cleaning, a camera inspection, or even some spot repairs to restore the system before further damage spreads.
5. You’ve Had Drain Issues in Multiple Rooms
A slow bathroom sink is usually just that—a local clog. But if you’ve got slow drains in the bathroom, kitchen, laundry room, and shower all at the same time, that’s a much bigger concern.
Multiple slow drains often point to a blockage in the main drainage line or heavy buildup along your home’s entire pipe system. This is where a full drain & pipe cleaning might be too light, and a jetting service is the smarter, longer-lasting fix.
6. The Problem Keeps Coming Back, No Matter What
Maybe your drain works fine for a few weeks. Then it slows again. You snake it, clean it, and even have it professionally cleared. It works… until it doesn’t.
If that pattern sounds familiar, you’re dealing with a problem that’s never actually been solved. In cases like this, we often recommend a video inspection and then a high-pressure drain jetting service to clear years of buildup, grease, or root infiltration that keeps causing repeat issues.
A Real Fix Is Better Than a Quick Clean
There’s nothing wrong with basic drain cleaning unless it’s all you ever get. When clogs keep returning, or when symptoms start showing up across your whole system, it’s time to stop treating the symptoms and start fixing the root of the problem.
That’s what we do here at Birmingham Drain Cleaning and Sewer Repair. We don’t just run a snake and hope for the best. We take the time to figure out what’s really going on in your system. Whether it’s grease that’s built up over the years, roots growing into the line, or something more serious, we’ll find it and we’ll deal with it the right way.
So if your drains aren’t working like they should, don’t waste time on temporary fixes. Give us a call, and we’ll make sure the problem gets solved—for good.
