Why Your Drains Keep Backing Up in Mesa—and What You Can Do About It

July 7, 2025

There’s nothing more frustrating than a drain that just won’t stay clear. You snake it, pour in some store-bought solution, and it seems to work—only to find water backing up again a few days later. If this sounds like your situation, you’re not alone. At All Time Plumbing, we’ve helped countless Mesa homeowners deal with recurring drain clogs, and in many cases, the problem goes deeper than it seems.

Let’s break down why this keeps happening—and what you can do to fix it for good.

Common Causes of Drain Backups in Mesa Homes

1. Tree Roots Invading Your Pipes

Many older homes in Mesa were built with clay or cast iron pipes, and as those systems age, tiny cracks or loose joints can form. Tree roots are naturally drawn to moisture and can squeeze through even the smallest openings, growing and clogging your sewer or drain lines from the inside.

What to look for:

  • Multiple slow drains in the house
  • Gurgling sounds from toilets
  • Backups after using the washing machine


2. Grease, Soap, and Food Buildup

It’s easy to forget that kitchen sinks and garbage disposals weren’t designed to handle everything we throw at them. Grease, oil, and food scraps can coat the inside of your drain lines over time—especially with Mesa’s hard water making it even harder for debris to wash away.

What to look for:

  • Slow drainage in the kitchen
  • Frequent use of plungers or chemical cleaners
  • Nasty odors coming from the sink


3. Hard Water Scale

Mesa’s naturally hard water is packed with minerals like calcium and magnesium. Over time, those minerals build up along the inside of your pipes and create a narrower path for water and waste to flow through—making your home more prone to clogs and backups.

What to look for:

  • A chalky white residue on faucets
  • Slower drainage even without visible blockages
  • Frequent clogs in multiple locations


4. Aging Drain Pipes

If your home is more than 30 years old, your drain system may be showing its age. Corrosion, shifting soil, and normal wear can all contribute to frequent clogging and poor drainage.

What to look for:

  • Recurring backups despite cleaning
  • Cracks or wet spots in the yard
  • Sewer odors inside the home


What You Can Do About It


Don’t Just Reach for the Drain Cleaner

Store-bought chemical drain cleaners may offer a temporary fix—but they often do more harm than good by eating away at your pipes over time. They also won’t touch tree roots, hard water scale, or major buildup.


Call for a Camera Inspection

At All Time Plumbing, we offer video camera inspections that let us see exactly what’s going on in your pipes. Whether it’s a grease clog, a cracked pipe, or a root invasion—we’ll find the real cause fast.


Ask About Long-Term Solutions

Depending on the issue, you may benefit from professional drain cleaning, hydro jetting, or even a section of pipe replacement. We’ll always give you honest options and let you decide what’s right for your home and budget.


Need Help Now? We’re Just a Call Away.

Don’t waste time battling the same drain problems again and again. Let the pros at All Time Plumbing & Drains handle it with real solutions that last. Call us at 480-351-5391

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