If you’re standing by your sink waiting for the water to drain and thinking ‘this is taking a while’, you might have bigger plumbing problems to worry about.
At first glance, a slow-draining sink just seems annoying, but it’s also often a warning sign of a more serious blockage developing deeper in your home’s plumbing system.
Knowing the possible causes behind a slow-draining sink helps you to take early action against any brewing problems before they become a total blockage.
Hair and soap buildup
Hair, soap and toothpaste can all cause blockages.This is particularly problematic for bathroom sinks. Over time these debris build up in your water pipes and solidify to create a hard-to-move blockage that makes draining water difficult. Because it’s a gradual build-up, it doesn’t even have to be a lot of hair or soap at once, even small fragments going down the sink are an issue.
Food and grease
For kitchen sinks, the biggest offenders are food particles, grease and fats that get washed down the drain when cleaning dishes and cooking utensils. These enter the pipework and, as with hair and soap, build up overtime. Grease is the worst for damaging your pipework. While it looks liquid when you pour it down, it cools, hardens, and sticks to the pipes, restricting water flow.
Plastics and rubbish
Particularly in busy households, small bits of rubbish like bottle caps, packaging and other debris can get stuck in the pipework and prevent proper drainage. Even small toys can fall into sinks and be washed into the plumbing. If you think an object falling into the sink has caused the blockage, avoid repeatedly running the water as this could push it further into the drainage system.
A blockage deeper in the pipe
Sometimes the problem isn’t only with the sink that’s struggling to drain. A blockage further in the pipe system can prevent water flow and even cause water to back up into the sink. A good way to spot if this is the case is by trying the other sinks or drains around your property. If they’re all struggling to drain, the problem may be bigger than it first appeared.
Problems with the drainage system
If you’re experiencing repeated drainage problems and you’re taking care not to dispose of waste down the sink, the problem might be with the pipework itself. Older and damaged pipework with cracks, displaced joints or tree root intrusion can all interfere with water flow. Persistent problems that you can’t resolve yourself need to be checked out by a plumber or drainage expert to make sure your home’s pipework is in working condition.
How to prevent a slow-draining sink
To avoid constant sink troubles, follow these simple habits:
- Dispose of cooking fats and grease properly, avoid pouring them down the sink.
- Use a drain strainer to catch food and debris.
- Regularly remove hair from bathroom plugs and drains.
- Throw sanitary products and wipes in a bin when used instead of flushing them down the toilet.
- Clean your home’s plugholes and sinks regularly.
- Tackle slow drainage before it becomes a complete blockage.
When should you call a professional?
If your sink is still draining slowly even after regular cleaning and maintenance the problem might be deeper in the system, and so should be left to a professional.
Looking for a drain unblocker near me is particularly important if the slow drainage is accompanied by bad smells, unfamiliar sounds and water backing up. Having a recurring blockage investigated by an expert stops a minor issue becoming a much larger one. Dealing with the problem early could mean thousands of pounds difference in the plumbing repairs that are needed.
While it may seem like a simple inconvenience, a slow-draining sink shouldn’t be ignored. Taking action early on keeps your drains working properly and prevents recurring problems in the future.
Final thoughts
Even small debris like a few hairs, a bit of grease or leftover food crumbs can cause big problems for your home’s plumbing. To keep water flowing around your home with ease, be mindful of what’s going down your drain.
Whether you’ve got an ongoing plumbing problem or a random blockage, calling a plumber or drain expert will resolve the issue quickly and get your home’s pipes back to their best.
