Slow draining sinks and showers are a pain. In some cases, they're also kind of gross.
Nobody likes when sweat-laden, lukewarm shower water pools up around their ankles.
Or when you're washing your hands and have to finish before the water level in the sink reaches, well, your hands. It's annoying!
The good news is that you don't have to live with a slow draining shower or sink. It's something you can fix. Or, in some cases, it's something someone else can fix for you.
Here's how to proceed when you've got this aggravating problem.
How to fix a single slow draining sink or shower
Do you have a single slow-draining plumbing fixture? In other words, are all of your other drains ok except for one?
If that's the case, you probably have a localized blockage of some sort in the drain pipe. The blockage might be really close to the drain. Or not. Either way, it's something you don't have to live with for long!
Unclogging a slow draining kitchen sink
Whether your kitchen sink is clogged on both sides, one side, or just draining slowly, there's a good chance you've got a piece of food (or pieces of multiple foods) slowing things down. Try the following strategies in this order:
- Try to clear the garbage disposal. First, cut the power to your disposal at the breaker box. Or if your disposal plugs in, you can just unplug it. Then stick a wooden spoon into it to bust up anything that might be blocking water. You may also need tongs to pull out whatever is down there.
- Use a sink plunger. Disposal not clogged? Use a sink plunger on both sides of the sink. You may need to enlist a friend or partner to help with this. Plunge until water starts flowing normally. Plunging just one side could push air or water up through the disposal and fail to dislodge your clog.
- Clean the P-trap. You might have food debris in the p-trap. Put a bucket under the sink and disconnect the P-trap. Clear out whatever is in there and reconnect it.
- Use a plumber's snake. If the above strategies fail, you may have a partial blockage deeper down the line. Proper use of a plumber's snake can obliterate whatever is causing your slow draining sink.
Unclogging a slow draining shower or bathroom sink
The strategies for a partially clogged shower drain or bathroom sink drain are pretty much the same. When it comes to these fixtures, hair is often the culprit. But there can be other causes as well.
Here's are some ways to address the problem:
- Check for hair. Hair in the drain can create a partial blockage. You can check for it by feeling around inside the drain. If you can't feel any, manipulate a wire coat hanger to make a little hook and fish for hair.
- Pour boiling water down the drain. No hair? Try heat. Boiling water can help clear gunky buildup that may have formed inside the pipes.
- Try vinegar and baking soda. If boiling water doesn't do the trick, pour a heaping spoonful of baking soda down the drain. Then pour a cup or more of vinegar on top. Sometimes, this can create a reaction that dissolves whatever gunk is making the water slow to drain.
- Plunge. Grab a sink or drain plunger and go to town. Sometimes, there's a blockage you just need to physically move. A plunger can make that happen.
- Use a plumber's snake. If none of the above options solve the problem, a plumber's snake might. Send the snake down the drain and bust up whatever is in the way.
Do you have multiple fixtures that are slow?
Sometimes, the above solutions don't solve the problem. When they don't-or when you have more than one plumbing fixture that's slow to drain-there could be a deeper problem.
We mean literally deeper. As in deep within your sewer line.
Multiple slow draining sinks or showers are often the first sign of a sewer line problem. The slow draining may also be accompanied by gurgling noises or bad smells, but not always.
In any case, having multiple slow draining plumbing fixtures means you should have your sewer line inspected ASAP. Because if the blockage is bad enough (or if it gets worse), you could end up with something much worse than a slow drain.
Think sewage backup, nasty smells, damage to your property. Stuff like that.
Here's how to move forward when more than one sink or shower is slow to drain:
- Shut off your water. You don't want to risk backing up your drains and bringing sewage into your home.
- Call a plumber. Look for a licensed plumber who specializes in sewers and drains. Not all plumbers are equipped to do this work.
- Request a sewer camera inspection. A camera inspection will reveal whether you've got a blockage (likely with slow draining sinks) or something more serious, such as pipe damage due to age or tree roots.
If there's a sewer line clog, a sewer specialist can usually bust it up via hydro jetting. Damaged pipes, however, usually need to be replaced.
We know this is inconvenient, but you really really don't want a sewer line problem to get any worse than it already is! The sooner you can address the problem, the better.
Other signs of sewer line problems
If you've got a sewer line problem, you may also notice other, um, interesting happenings around your property. For instance…
- Unusually lush patches of grass: Sewage, for all its faults, makes a pretty good fertilizer. If you suddenly notice that certain areas of your yard are more lush than others, this could be a sign of a broken or leaky sewer pipe.
- Sinkholes: Sometimes, a sewage leak starts out as a sinking area of your yard. As the hole gets bigger and softer, you may start to see…
- Pooled sewage: This can show up at the bottom of a sinkhole or just appear in your yard when you have a sewer line issue. With any luck, you will smell it before you step in it.
To be sure, you may not notice any of these issues. If the problem is a blockage in the sewer line, not a damaged pipe, then slow draining may be your only indication that something is up. Either way, book a sewer camera inspection ASAP to diagnose the problem.
Struggling to fix your slow draining sink or shower? Here's what to do.
If you've got a real troublesome clog or suspect a sewer line problem, it's time to call for help!
PV Heating, Cooling & Plumbing specializes in drain and sewer issues and serves homeowners across the Metro Atlanta region. A slow draining sink can be a real pain to fix on your own, so let us handle the hard part!
Also: A sewer line problem is not something you should ignore. It won't get better on its own-only worse. So get in touch with us today to figure out what's wrong!
Give us a call today at (404) 798-9672 or schedule service online!
