A drain stoppage is a blockage in a drain, waste, or sewer line that slows or stops wastewater from leaving a fixture. Common causes include hair, grease, soap scum, wipes, food waste, and tree roots. A stoppage at one fixture usually sits in its trap or branch line, while several backed-up fixtures point to the main line.
Why it matters to you
Where the backup shows up tells you how serious it is: one slow sink is a nuisance, but a toilet that gurgles when the washer drains, or water rising in a floor drain, signals a main-line stoppage that can push sewage into the house.
Practical guidance
Stop running water as soon as more than one fixture backs up. On a single fixture, try a plunger or hand auger rather than caustic chemical cleaners, and keep wipes, grease, and coffee grounds out of drains.