A year of clogs
- Winter
- Sink stops after a family dinner; a cable clears it.
- Spring
- Slow again; cleared again with a cable.
- Late summer
- Third stoppage. The owner asks why it keeps happening.
- Same visit
- After clearing, a camera inspection is run through the trap arm.
What the camera showed
Illustrative example. Not a real job or customer.
The 1950s home has a galvanized trap arm and branch line feeding into a cast-iron drain under the slab.
- Heavy rust ridges narrow the galvanized pipe inside the wall.
- Grease clings to the ridges just past the trap arm.
- The cast-iron line farther on looks rough but open.
- The plumber marks the problem section on the wall.
The owner chose to replace the corroded galvanized section in the wall with new pipe, and to keep grease habits strict for the older cast iron beyond it.
Options the owner weighed
| Keep cleaning | Replace the bad section |
|---|---|
| No wall opening | Opens the wall behind the sink cabinet |
| Clogs likely to continue | Removes the worst narrowing |
| Each visit is another cost and disruption | Permit question to check with the city |
Good questions in this situation
- Can I watch the camera and keep the video?
- How far does the bad pipe extend?
- Does replacing it require a permit, and who pulls it?
- How will the new pipe connect to the old cast iron?
Common questions
Is this based on a real customer?
No. It is a hypothetical case written to show how repeat clogs are usually investigated.
Why not camera the line on the first visit?
For a first clog, a camera is often unnecessary. A repeat pattern is what makes it worthwhile.
Would jetting have solved it?
Jetting removes grease, but the rusted ridges would still catch new buildup. The pipe itself was the root issue.
General information for Fullerton, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.