Slow drains and clogs disrupt your daily routine and can signal bigger plumbing problems hiding in your pipes. Our licensed plumbers use professional-grade equipment to clear stubborn blockages and restore proper drainage throughout your San Diego home.
Pacific Drain & Plumbing has been solving San Diego’s unique drain cleaning problems for 50 years. Hard water buildup, tree roots seeking moisture in our dry climate, and aging clay pipes all contribute to the drain issues homeowners face here.
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At Pacific Drain & Plumbing, we handle drain cleaning calls across San Diego every day, and the same issues come up again and again. The city has some of the hardest water in the country. Water from the Colorado River and State Water Project carries high levels of calcium and magnesium that slowly coat the inside of your pipes over time. In neighborhoods like North Park, Kensington, and Clairemont where homes date back decades, this mineral buildup combines with aging galvanized steel or cast iron pipes to create stubborn clogs that store-bought drain cleaners can’t touch.
The mild climate that makes San Diego so enjoyable also creates problems underground. Without regular rainfall, tree roots aggressively seek out moisture wherever they can find it. Your sewer line often becomes the nearest water source, and roots will exploit even hairline cracks to get inside. Once they’re in, they catch debris flowing through the pipe and create blockages that only get worse with time.
Coastal soil conditions add another challenge. The ground in many San Diego neighborhoods expands and contracts with seasonal changes, gradually shifting pipes out of alignment. When pipes no longer sit at the proper angle, waste doesn’t flow the way it should, and you end up with recurring backups that seem to come out of nowhere.
Don’t wait for a complete backup to call for help. These warning signs tell you it’s time for professional drain cleaning:
When more than one drain in your home empties slowly, the problem is deeper in your plumbing system. This often points to a main sewer line blockage that needs immediate attention.
If you’re constantly plunging the same toilet or dealing with the same slow shower drain, there’s buildup in your pipes that needs professional removal.
Strange noises coming from drains, especially when you flush a toilet or run water, indicate air trapped by a blockage somewhere in your drain system.
Water coming up in unexpected places like the shower when you flush a toilet signals a serious blockage in your main sewer line.
Persistent sewer smells from drains mean organic material is decomposing in your pipes. This buildup will eventually cause a complete blockage if not removed.
These small flies breed in the organic material coating the inside of drain pipes. Their presence confirms you have significant buildup that needs cleaning.
Grease, food particles, and soap scum coat pipe walls over time. Grease solidifies and traps debris, creating clogs chemical cleaners can’t remove. Hydro jetting removes all buildup and restores full flow.
Hair combines with soap scum to form tough clogs. San Diego’s hard water adds mineral deposits that restrict flow. We remove hair clogs completely and scrub away buildup coating your pipes.
Most clogs happen at the trap and respond to professional drain cables. Multiple clogged toilets mean main sewer line problems that need different cleaning.
Never use chemical cleaners in toilets – they’re ineffective and damage porcelain.
When your main sewer line blocks, multiple drains throughout your house fail.
Common causes:
We use camera inspection to locate blockages, then hydro jetting to clear them.
San Diego’s limited rainfall means drains sit dry for months. When rain comes, accumulated debris creates blockages and flooding.
We clear these drains before rainy season to prevent winter flooding.
When your drains start acting up, the cause usually falls into one of these categories:
A clog is usually a symptom of something else going on in your plumbing. Our plumbers take the time to understand what’s really happening before they start clearing the drain.
Our plumbers live and work in San Diego communities. They understand the hard water challenges, the aging pipe systems in older neighborhoods, and the tree root problems that come with our dry climate. When they show up at your door, they already know what they’re likely to find.
We back our drain cleaning with a lifetime workmanship guarantee and a 100% satisfaction guarantee. No deposit is required to book your appointment, and we don’t surprise you with hidden costs. Every plumber on our team is licensed, bonded, insured, and background-checked for your peace of mind.
As part of the Mauzy family of companies, we honor the same quality standards and guarantees that have built trust with San Diego homeowners for years. When you need drain cleaning done right, we’re ready to help.
Pacific Drain & Plumbing is a Mauzy brand. The reviews below are from Mauzy customers in San Diego, served by the same team that handles Pacific Drain jobs.
Posted on Chris CamarataTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Joel was very good. Talked with me, explained why to replace socket, and very respectful. He is a keeperPosted on Wendy LedfordTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Furnace maintainance was effortless and included in my yearly service agreementPosted on Jody WelpTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Joe A. Did a great job troubleshooting and fixing the issue. Thank you!Posted on Kathryn WhistlerTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Electrical inspection in service contract so part af a package. Technician Isaac was very helpful.Posted on Tom GarrisonTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Darren was knowledgeable, friendly, considerate and efficient. All good.Posted on Charles NnajiTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 4/9/24 Michael Mitman was the specialist that did my maintenance on my unit today, and was very thorough as well as provided recommendations and offered the discount rate for my next year visit as well as gave good information on changing out the filter sooner than 90 days due to pet and carpet. He is very knowledgeable and also found out he went to high school with my oldest son. Thanks again for an awesome service today. January 14, 2026 Joshua came and serviced my water heater as well as recommended items that need to be replaced and what functions and issues can arise if ignored. He is very knowledgeable and explained everything he was doing as well as showing the results of his assessments. He deserves a raise because it is rare to have someone so knowledgeable and confident in what they do which is a huge plus. I will definitely highly recommend him. Again thank you for a job well done Joshua and the Mauzy team. January 22, 2026, James Logsdon came and did our hvac systems maintenance. He was very professional, detailed and communicated his recommendations to keep the systems running for a while. I am glad this was done today. Thanks again for your services, will definitely recommend him for hvac systems maintenance.Posted on Ghiasi DesignsTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Mike was absolutely amazing! He took the time to go over all the potential reasons the heater was not working, trouble shooter the thermostat and got the heat back on. He is extremely kind, professional and I highly recommend their company and ask for Michael!Posted on Asher A.Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Michael Mitman came in today and fixed our non-working heating. He took his time in diagnosing the issue until he got it fixed. Very straightforward, friendly, and experienced. Thank you Michael! Mauzy is always trustworthy in issues like this!Posted on Linda PalmerTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Jonathan Sandoval was courteous, knowledgeable, efficient, and professional. I was pleased with the installation work they did on my new HVAC package. I would recommend them in the future.Posted on Roxanne BurroughsTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Mikel was very professional, well-mannered, informative and polite. Good experience.
From booking to completion, our streamlined process ensures hassle-free, efficient handyman services. Just follow the steps below, and we’ll handle the rest, delivering quality work you can count on.
San Diego's extremely hard water is a major factor. Mineral deposits from calcium and magnesium coat pipe walls over time, narrowing the opening and catching debris. In older homes with galvanized or cast iron pipes, this buildup combines with internal corrosion to create stubborn clogs. Tree roots seeking moisture in our dry climate and grease accumulation round out the most common causes.
Our call support is available 24/7, and we work to get a plumber to your home as quickly as possible. Response times depend on current scheduling, but we understand that drain problems don't wait. When you call, we'll give you an honest estimate of when we can arrive.
Yes. Our plumbers assess your plumbing system before choosing a cleaning method. For older pipes that might be fragile, we adjust our approach accordingly. In some cases, we'll recommend a camera inspection first to evaluate pipe condition. We never use methods that could damage your plumbing.
We diagnose the cause of your clog, clear the blockage using professional equipment, and verify proper drainage before leaving. If we discover a larger issue during our inspection, we'll explain what we found and discuss your options. Our drain cleaning is backed by our lifetime workmanship guarantee.
We have 24/7 call support for urgent situations. Water backing up into your home or sewage odors are problems that shouldn't wait. Call us any time and we'll work to get you help as quickly as possible.
For most homes, professional drain cleaning every one to two years keeps pipes flowing freely. Homes with large trees near sewer lines, older plumbing systems, or hard water issues may benefit from annual service. If you're experiencing slow drains or recurring clogs, don't wait for your next scheduled maintenance.
Absolutely. Our drain cleaning comes with a lifetime workmanship guarantee. If you experience any problems related to our service, contact us and we'll make it right. We also offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee because we want you confident in choosing Pacific Drain & Plumbing.