clogged drains
Backed-up water pipes
Clogged drains are pipes or channels blocked by accumulated debris—hair, grease, soap residue, or other buildup—preventing water from flowing freely.
The phrase appears constantly in plumbing advertisements and household complaints: I spent Sunday dealing with clogged drains.
Figuratively, anything impeding flow might be compared to clogged drains: The bureaucracy acts like clogged drains on innovation.
- blockageObstruction halting movement
- plungerSuction device for clogs
- hairFibrous scalp covering
- greaseThick oily lubricant
- grease trapDevice separating fats from wastewater
pipe · backup · backed up · overflow · slow · gurgling · standing water · water damage · sewage · septic tank · plumber · unclog · bathroom · sink · shower · tub · trap · gunk
- everyday problemstypos, clutter, lateness, lost keys, traffic jams
- filthdirt, grime, dirty, filthy, muck
- Water damage causesflooding, leaky pipes, burst pipes, roof leaks, storms
- waste problemsillegal dumping, littering, ocean plastic, pollution, contamination
- decayrot, decay rate, wilt, crumble, decomposition
- nuisancespest, ants, bugs, flies, roaches