7 Shocking Things We’ve Pulled from Sterling Heights Drains

When you think of a clogged drain, you probably imagine the usual suspects: hair, grease, maybe some food scraps. But as any experienced plumber in Sterling Heights will tell you, we pull out all kinds of weird stuff from drains in Michigan homes.

These aren’t exaggerated stories or plumber myths — these are the real clogs we deal with on the job. So if you’re wondering what could be lurking in your pipes, here’s a look at seven wild but common things we’ve found while drain cleaning in Sterling Heights.

1. LEGOs and Matchbox Cars

It happens more often than people realize.
Kids get curious, and before you know it, small toys end up flushed down the toilet or shoved into a floor drain. One Sterling Heights homeowner called us when their main floor bathroom kept backing up. The culprit? A small fleet of Matchbox cars jammed in the toilet bend.

Those toys created just enough of a blockage to catch toilet paper and waste — leading to a slow but steady backup.

2. Grease That Turned Into Cement

Grease clogs are probably the most common kitchen drain issue we see, but one Sterling Heights job really stood out. A customer had been pouring bacon grease down the sink for years, followed by hot water.

What they didn’t realize: grease cools quickly and hardens inside the pipes. By the time we got there, their pipes were nearly sealed shut with a solid, gray mass of hardened grease that we had to break up with a mini hydro-jetter.

Pro tip? Never pour grease down your drain. Wipe pans with a paper towel instead.

3. Paper Towels and “Flushable” Wipes

Despite the name, so-called flushable wipes aren’t really safe for your plumbing. Neither are paper towels. We once cleared a Sterling Heights home where the homeowners had been flushing paper towels during a kitchen remodel cleanup — thinking they’d break down like toilet paper.

What we found was a tangled, rope-like wad of wipes and towels, completely blocking their main sewer line. It took heavy-duty snaking to break it up and restore flow.

4. Kitty Litter in the Toilet

Here’s one that’s more common than it should be: kitty litter flushed down the toilet.
One Sterling Heights customer thought it was a good way to dispose of used litter. The result? Cement-like sludge that clumped inside the pipes and hardened in the bends.

It took us a camera inspection, snaking, and hydro jetting to get the line clear again.

If you’re reading this — please, never flush litter!

5. Construction Debris From a DIY Reno

During a bathroom remodel, it’s easy for small debris to end up in the drain: bits of drywall, tile grout, or even caulk. We worked a Sterling Heights job where grout slurry and small tile chips clogged the tub and toilet drains.

Over time, the slurry settled and hardened inside the pipes, leading to repeated backups. We had to break out the auger and jetter to clear the mess — and the homeowner learned the value of using drain covers during renovations.

6. Tree Roots in the Sewer Line

Sterling Heights homes — especially older ones — often have clay or cast iron sewer pipes. That makes them prime targets for tree root intrusion.

One family kept having backups every few months. After a camera inspection, we found thick roots that had grown through tiny cracks in their main line. The roots acted like a net, trapping everything that flowed through.

This is one of the top causes of repeated clogs we see in Michigan drains — and it’s not weird to us anymore, just common.

7. A Toothbrush in the Bathroom Sink

Small, slender objects like toothbrushes are easy to lose down a bathroom sink — especially when kids are involved.

We pulled one out recently that had lodged perfectly in the drain trap, catching hair and soap scum over time until the sink was barely draining at all.

These clogs are usually easy for us to fix — but impossible for homeowners to spot without disassembling the plumbing.

The Big Takeaway

The point of sharing these stories isn’t just for entertainment. It’s a reminder that weird stuff found in drains in Michigan homes is often preventable. Whether it’s teaching kids what not to flush or using strainers during renovations, small steps go a long way in avoiding costly plumbing calls.

If your drains are slow, gurgling, or backing up — don’t wait until you have a disaster on your hands. Sometimes the clog isn’t what you expect, and the longer it stays in there, the worse the damage can get.

How to Prevent Weird Drain Clogs in Sterling Heights

✅ Use drain screens in sinks, tubs, and showers.
✅ Teach kids not to flush toys or objects.
✅ Never flush wipes, paper towels, or litter — even if the label says it’s flushable.
✅ Dispose of grease in the trash, not the drain.
✅ Schedule sewer camera inspections if you have large trees near your sewer line.
✅ Cover drains during home projects to keep out debris.

When to Call a Pro

If you’ve tried clearing a clog yourself but the problem keeps coming back, it’s time to call a professional plumber in Sterling Heights. We can:

• Identify hidden or unusual blockages
• Use cameras to inspect your pipes
• Clear clogs safely without damaging your plumbing
• Recommend long-term solutions if roots or damaged pipes are the issue