Whether you’re doing the dishes or brushing your teeth, the flow of water down the drain can be almost hypnotic. When that flow is interrupted, it’s a sign that something, somewhere along the line has gone wrong. It might be a minor problem or it could be something more serious. At the very least, a slow draining sink warrants investigation before it becomes more serious.
Common Causes of A Slow Draining Sink
Drains are remarkably sophisticated pieces of engineering and there’s more that goes into them than just a hole. Unfortunately, this sophistication means that there are a plethora of things that can cause issues when they go wrong. The most common causes of slow drainage are:
- Accumulated Debris: Soap, hair, bits of food and grease find their way down the plughole. Over time, they stick to the sides, reducing the ability for water to flow away cleanly. Left alone for long enough, they’ll eventually cause a total clog.
- Clogged P-trap: A P-trap sits under most sinks and serves to create an air barrier between your home and the waste water system. Sometimes, debris and objects can get trapped in the trap, making it malfunction.
- Mineral Build Up: Your home’s water supply contains more than just H2O. Calcium and other minerals found in your drinking water can cause build ups overtime which will eventually clog a pipe. It’s less common in drains, but it does happen.
- Improper Venting: Your drains involve more than simply pipes. Vents help to stop vacuums forming and ensure that water flows away in the way it should.
- Tree Root Intrusion: While it’s more common to find a tree root poking into a main drain or sewer line, these can have knock-on effects to all the drains in your home.
Risks Of Ignoring A Slow Draining Sink
While it can be tempting to think “slow is fine, so long as it does drain” any experienced plumber will tell you this is a bad mind-set. Problems have a habit of getting worse when they’re ignored and when plumbing problems get worse, they get more expensive.
Dealing with your drains at the first sign of trouble can head off things like:
Complete Clogs
A totally blocked drain means an unusable sink and the risk of overflow. This is not only inconvenient, it can be pretty unsanitary too. Anyone who’s ever had to wash the dishes in the bath will tell you that a total clog is no joke.
Water Damage
A sink that doesn’t drain properly (or at all) is prone to overflowing. This means that water that should be going down the drain is actually going over the side, onto your cabinets, floors and potentially, downstairs into your neighbors. Water damage can rot wood, cause mold growth and cause all kinds of chaos.
Pipe Corrosion
Over time, accumulated debris can have a corrosive effect on pipework. This means that the longer a partial clog is left in place, the more damage it’s doing. Eventually, it will weaken the walls of the pipe and potentially lead to leaks.
Foul Odors
When you think about what finds its way down your drain, it’s not surpising that it can lead to bad smells. Foul odors caused by decomposing food, hair and soap scum can permeate your home and the things that cause them can be really pretty unsanitary.
Health Hazards
Stagnant water is a prime breeding ground for pests and all kinds of nasty bacteria. These can put your family’s health at risk. Likewise, the increased risk of spillages and overflows means that the chances of mold taking hold are increased too. The spores that mold uses to reproduce can impact health, causing and exacerbating respiratory problems and allergies in particular.
DIY Methods To Address Slow Draining Sinks
Not every slow draining sink needs the intervention of professional plumbing services. In fact, most can be tackled on a purely DIY basis. Here’s a few techniques to try:
Plungers
A plunger works by creating a vacuum around a blocked drain and forcing air and water into it. Ideally, this will knock any obstruction loose as the air is pushed and pulled through it. They’re fairly simple tools really- cover the blocked drain with the cup and work it up and down until the blockage comes loose.
Just make sure you get the right type for the job- a toilet plunger isn’t going to fix a sink.
Baking Soda And Vinegar
What type of DIY advice would this be if it didn’t cover the old staple. Baking soda and vinegar react together in a frothy, bubbly way, making them great for cleaning and dislodging blockages. The process is simple:
- Pour baking soda into the drain
- Add vinegar
- Watch the bubbles fizz
- Run through with warm water.
This is also a great way of dealing with cleaning your drains. Work it into your housekeeping routine to avoid clogs forming in the first place.
Clean the P-trap
The P-trap is located under your sink and it can be removed for cleaning if needed. Place a bucket underneath (especially if the sink is full) and simply unscrew it. Once detached, you can run it through with warm water or use a flexible brush to dislodge any debris.
Once clean, simply reattach it, making sure the joints are tightened.
Drain Snakes and Augurs
A drain snake is to all intents and purposes a long, coiled piece of metal. You can feed it down the drain and use it to break up or ‘hook’ any clogs as you turn the handle. They’re great for working further down the system.
When To Call A Plumber
Of course, sometimes a problem is more serious and requires professional intervention. If a blockage is too serious, a problem keeps on occurring or you think there’s damage to the pipes, it’s best to call in the big guns.
Likewise, if the problem is located out of easy reach, a plumber will have the tools and knowledge to sort it for you.
How To Prevent Future Problems
Prevention is always better than a cure, so follow these tips to avoid slow draining sinks in the future:
- Regular Maintenance: Cleaning and flushing the sink with hot water and vinegar helps stop build ups forming in the first place.
- Use Drain Screens: Blocking hair, food particles and other items from entering the drain in the first place beats fishing them out again.
- Dispose of Grease Carefully: Don’t be tempted to pour cooking oil down the sink. It will congeal and cause blockages. Instead, pour it off into a jar and dispose of it in the trash.
- Install a Water Softener: If you live in a hard-water area, a softener could be a good investment.
