If you’re seeing sluggish drains or occasional backups, start by matching the symptom and timing to the scenarios below. Each short article focuses on a common cause and steps to diagnose whether the issue is a localized fixture problem, a main sewer restriction, or something tied to recent work or interruptions in service. For broader related topics about floor drains, basements and main lines, see Floor Drains, Basement & Main Lines.
Whole-house and main sewer symptoms
These pages cover slow or clogged conditions that affect the entire house and point toward the main sewer or a shared drain problem.
- Main sewer line partially clogged
Explains how to recognize a main sewer restriction and which signs — like multiple drains backing up — indicate a line obstruction that may need a professional camera inspection.
- Slow drainage in entire house
Walks through simple checks to distinguish between a mainline issue and a large but localized clog, and when to call your utility or a plumber.
After work, installs, or remodels
If sluggish drains started after recent plumbing work, appliance installs, or remodeling, these articles help trace likely causes and quick fixes.
- Partial clog after plumbing repair
Focuses on common post-repair problems like trapped debris or incomplete reassembly and how to verify trap and vent alignment.
- Partial clog after remodel
Covers drywall dust, grout, and construction debris risks that can settle in traps or lines, plus safe cleaning methods to try first.
- Partial clog after filter install
Looks at how new filters or fittings can introduce debris or change flow patterns and suggests checks at the install points and upstream lines.
- Partial clog after water heater install
Explains how sediment or scale disturbed during installation can affect nearby drains and what flushing or vent checks to perform.
Utility events, pressure changes, and shutoffs
Events like city outages, pressure shifts, or smart-valve trips often trigger clogs or make marginal blockages noticeable; these articles walk through the common sequences and immediate checks.
- Partial clog after city outage
Describes how a sudden loss and return of service can dislodge debris or allow sewer lines to shift, and which inspection steps to take first.
- Partial clog after winterization
Highlights frozen-residue and trapped air issues after thawing, and how to clear vents and traps safely without causing damage.
- Partial clog after pressure change
Explains how sudden pressure changes can move sediment or reveal weak seals, and what to check on both supply and drain sides.
- Partial clog after smart shutoff trip
Focuses on residual debris or air pockets that can form when smart valves cut water and then reopen, and simple steps to re-prime fixtures.
- Partial clog after turning water back on
Notes how reopening service can flush loose material into traps and pipes; includes recommended sequence for running fixtures to clear lines.
- Partial clog after vacation
Discusses how stagnation, biofilm, or small blockages can form during extended disuse and how to safely flush and test drains on return.
Location and usage patterns
These articles help pinpoint problems that appear only in certain places, at specific times, or under particular loads — useful for narrowing down the cause.
- Partial clog only at night
Looks at why nighttime conditions like lower building use or thermal shifts can reveal slow drains and how to monitor for patterns.
- Partial clog when multiple fixtures used
Explains how combined flow can exceed a partial restriction and suggests tests to reproduce the problem and locate the restriction.
- Partial clog worsens over time
Describes progressive blockages, signs of buildup versus isolated incidents, and early actions to slow or reverse the trend.
- Partial clog causes random backups
Covers intermittent backups that don’t follow an easy pattern and offers troubleshooting steps to catch the event and document clues for a plumber.
- Partial clog only upstairs
Focuses on upstairs-only symptoms that often point to venting or branch-line issues rather than the main sewer line.
- Partial clog only in basement
Details typical basement causes like floor drain problems, sump interactions, or low spots where debris accumulates.
All Articles in This Cluster
- Main sewer line partially clogged
- Slow drainage in entire house
- Partial clog after plumbing repair
- Partial clog after city outage
- Partial clog after winterization
- Partial clog only at night
- Partial clog after remodel
- Partial clog after pressure change
- Partial clog when multiple fixtures used
- Partial clog after filter install
- Partial clog after smart shutoff trip
- Partial clog after turning water back on
- Partial clog after vacation
- Partial clog after water heater install
- Partial clog worsens over time
- Partial clog causes random backups
- Partial clog only upstairs
- Partial clog only in basement