What’s Causing Your Coastal Home’s Drains to Keep Clogging?

7074338578 • May 16, 2025

Plumber near me? Yes, that’s us— Soo Hipp Plumbing, proudly serving the South Bay with skill and style.

A large house with a large patio and a view of the ocean at sunset.

Written by Soo Hipp Plumbing

Your trusted South Bay plumbing experts for Hermosa Beach, Palos Verdes Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes & more

Do you feel like your drains are always backing up no matter what you try?


If you live near the coast—especially in places like Hermosa Beach, Palos Verdes Estates, or Rancho Palos Verdes—you might be facing a unique set of plumbing issues. Coastal living is a dream, but it comes with its own challenges—particularly when it comes to your pipes.


Many homeowners search “plumber near me” or “how to fix clogged pipes” only to find themselves right back at square one weeks later. That’s where our local knowledge and expertise come in.


At Soo Hipp Plumbing, we’ve seen firsthand how coastal conditions like salty air, sand, and aging infrastructure affect plumbing systems in beach communities. Let’s dive into the Top 5 causes of drain clogs in coastal homes, so you can take action and protect your pipes before a small clog becomes a costly sewer backup.


1. Sand & Sediment Buildup

Whether you’re rinsing off after a beach day or doing laundry full of sandy towels, fine sediment can easily collect in your pipes over time. That gritty texture can settle and harden, eventually restricting water flow or causing a complete blockage.


Pro Tip: Rinse sandy gear outside whenever possible and install mesh drain traps in showers.


2. Aging or Corroded Pipes (Especially Cast Iron)

Many homes in Palos Verdes Estates, Hermosa Beach, and RPV were built decades ago with cast iron pipes, which can degrade and rust over time—especially in salt-rich environments. Corroded pipe walls catch debris more easily and can even collapse if not addressed.


🛠️ Need help with old plumbing or cast iron pipes?
Learn more about our
Rancho Palos Verdes Drain Cleaning and Palos Verdes Estates Drain Cleaning services.

3. Grease, Hair & Soap Scum Buildup

This is a common cause of clogs in any home, but in coastal houses—especially vacation rentals or busy households—these materials build up faster. Over time, they form thick sludge that clings to pipe walls.

Solution:


Schedule a professional hydro jetting service to fully clear the line instead of using short-term chemical fixes.


4. Tree Roots Seeking Moisture

The lush landscaping that gives coastal homes their beauty can also pose a threat underground. Tree roots naturally seek out water, and your sewer lines are often a prime target. If they break into the pipe joints, they can cause slow drains, backups, and serious pipe damage.


We recommend a video line inspection if you’ve had recurring drain issues or notice slow flow in multiple areas of the home.


5. Improper Drainage Grading or Outdated Fixtures

Over time, shifting soil or outdated plumbing designs can lead to improper drainage slope, especially in hillside homes like those in Rancho Palos Verdes or Palos Verdes Estates. This causes water to sit and collect debris instead of flowing freely.


We offer full plumbing inspections to identify grading issues and recommend permanent fixes.


How We Fix It: Safe & Effective Hydro Jetting

At Soo Hipp Plumbing, we offer hydro jetting, a high-pressure drain cleaning solution that’s safe for most plumbing systems—even older ones when properly inspected. If your home has cast iron or PVC piping, don’t worry—we always begin with a video inspection to ensure hydro jetting is appropriate.


💧 Want to learn more about hydro jetting?
📺
Watch our explainer video on YouTube here


Why Choose Soo Hipp Plumbing?

  • ✔️ Locally owned & operated in the South Bay
  • ✔️ Deep experience with coastal plumbing issues
  • ✔️ Safe solutions for cast iron pipes and older homes
  • ✔️ Serving Hermosa Beach, RPV, Manhattan Beach, and Redondo Beach
  • ✔️ Friendly, professional team that puts customers first


We back our service with honesty, experience, and the latest plumbing tools—so you get clean pipes without costly damage.


💰 Call Today & Ask About Our $99 Drain Cleaning Special!


Don’t let a minor clog turn into a major plumbing problem. Call your friendly neighborhood plumber today and schedule your inspection or hydro jetting service.

📞 Call Soo Hipp Plumbing at  Click Here Click Here or


🌐
Visit our Drain Cleaning Services Page

Serving the Entire South Bay:


Final Tip:

If you're near Hermosa Beach Pier or live close to the ocean, your plumbing system is exposed to more salt and sand than most. Be proactive with your maintenance and keep our number saved in your phone—you’ll be glad you did!

What’s Causing Your Coastal Home’s Drains to Keep Clogging?
By 7074338578 May 29, 2025
Should I Get a Plumbing Inspection Before Buying a House in the South Bay? Short answer? Yes. If you’re buying a home in Torrance, Redondo Beach, Palos Verdes, San Pedro, or Manhattan Beach, getting a professional plumbing inspection could be the smartest decision you make before closing. At Soo Hipp Plumbing, we’ve helped hundreds of South Bay homebuyers avoid unexpected repair bills and sewer line nightmares—all by inspecting what most people forget: the pipes behind the walls. 🔍 Why Plumbing Inspections Matter When Buying a Home in the South Bay South Bay real estate is unique: older coastal homes, often with outdated plumbing, shifting soils, and salt air corrosion. Without a proper inspection, hidden issues like tree root intrusion or aging cast iron pipes can go unnoticed—until you're footing a $10,000+ repair bill. A thorough plumbing inspection reveals: ✅ Aging galvanized or corroded pipes ✅ Clogged or broken sewer lines ✅ Improper or unpermitted plumbing work ✅ Leaks hidden in walls or under slabs ✅ Low water pressure or slow drains If you skip the inspection, you could inherit these problems—and the cost to fix them. 🎥 What’s Included in Our South Bay Plumbing Inspection? Our licensed team at Soo Hipp Plumbing uses cutting-edge diagnostic tools and years of local experience to inspect plumbing systems in homes across the South Bay. Here’s what we check: 1. Sewer Line Camera Inspection We snake a high-definition camera through the main sewer line to detect cracks, root damage, clogs, and misalignments. 👉 Learn more about our Sewer Camera Inspection Service » 2. Water Pressure Testing & Leak Detection We assess flow rates, check for slab leaks, and inspect pipe integrity—especially in homes with older plumbing systems. 3. Fixture & Drain Inspections We test all toilets, sinks, bathtubs, and cleanouts for proper function, drainage, and signs of leaks or improper installs. 4. Water Heater & Shut-Off Valve Review We check your water heater for code compliance, safety risks, and verify that shut-off valves are working. 🏖️ Why It’s Critical in the South Bay Market If you're buying a home in the South Bay, you're likely dealing with: 🏚️ Homes built before the 1980s 🌳 Mature trees near sewer lines 🌊 Salt air and coastal corrosion 🧱 Soil shifting and slab issues That’s a perfect storm for plumbing problems—especially in Torrance, Palos Verdes, and Redondo Beach, where we see these issues daily. 💸 What Happens If You Skip It? Skipping a plumbing inspection might save you a few hundred dollars now, but it could cost you thousands later. 💥 Sewer line replacements: $4,000–$20,000+ 🧼 Mold or water damage repairs: $3,000+ 🔧 Re-piping old systems: $8,000+ A pre-purchase plumbing inspection can give you leverage to renegotiate or request repairs—before you commit to the sale. 👷 Who Should Schedule a Plumbing Inspection? 🏡 First-time homebuyers in the South Bay 💼 Real estate investors buying rentals or flips 🏖️ Coastal home buyers near Torrance Beach, RAT Beach, or Malaga Cove 🛠️ Buyers of remodeled homes (watch for unpermitted or cosmetic-only work) If the home was built before 1985 or shows signs of plumbing updates, call us. We'll let you know what's been done right—and what hasn't. 📍 Looking for a “Plumber Near Me” in Torrance or Redondo Beach? Instead of rolling the dice with search results, trust a local expert who knows South Bay plumbing from the inside out. With Soo Hipp Plumbing, you get: 📹 Full sewer camera footage 📄 Easy-to-read plumbing reports 🛠️ Clear recommendations (not scare tactics) 🌟 A team trusted by realtors and home inspectors 📞 Ready to Schedule Your Plumbing Inspection? Whether you're buying in Torrance, Redondo Beach, Palos Verdes, or San Pedro, Soo Hipp Plumbing has your back. Don’t gamble with your investment—inspect before you buy. 📆 Schedule online or call us today at 310-927-1141
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