The Usual Suspects: What Actually Clogs a Sewer?

Most people assume sewer lines only choke on things like accidentally flushed toys. In reality, the culprits are much more mundane—and entirely preventable.

• Fatbergs (FOG): “FOG” stands for Fats, Oils, and Grease. When cooked fat is poured down the kitchen sink, it might be liquid while hot, but it quickly cools, solidifies, and coats the inside of your pipes. Over time, this grease traps other debris, creating a concrete-like mass known as a “fatberg.”
• The “Flushable” Wipe Myth: Despite what the packaging claims, wet wipes, baby wipes, and makeup removers do not break down like toilet paper. They stay intact, travel down the line, and act as a perfect net to catch grease and hair.
• Tree Root Intrusion: Tree roots are highly efficient water seekers. Microscopic cracks or loose joints in older clay or concrete sewer pipes release moisture. Nearby trees smell this water, and their roots will force their way into the pipe, creating a dense root mass that completely blocks the flow.
• Foreign Objects: Hair, dental floss, feminine hygiene products, and band-aids are all major contributors to stubborn blockages.