What To Do If Your Sink Is Draining Slowly

If you suddenly notice that your sink is not draining as quickly as it usually does you should investigate the reason why. You should never just ignore the situation as any problem that exists will not usually resolve itself. Generally, you will find that the problem actually worsens over time. This is why you should either try to resolve the issue yourself or speak to experts such as ontimelocalplumber.com.au and ask for assistance.

We are going to examine why you may have issues with a slow draining sink. We are also going to take a look at what you should do if you want to try and solve the problem yourself before calling a plumber.

Why might your sink be draining more slowly than usual?

If you are used to having a kitchen sink that drains quickly it can be a real nuisance if the situation changes. The change is normally due to a blockage in the drains of the sink. This type of blockage is caused by items being washed down the sink. Grease and oil mixes with food remnants to create a blockage.

A similar effect can happen for a bathroom sink, except that the blockage is caused by items such as soap scum, hair and dead skin. The result is the same; you have difficulty draining water away from the sink.

How can you clear a blockage?

Obviously, the only way you are going to be able to ensure that your sink starts clearing effectively again is to clear the blockage that is causing the problem. You should attempt to do this as soon as you notice there is a problem. If you delay in taking action the blockage is only likely to worsen and you are less likely to be able to clear it yourself.

The first thing you should do is pour boiling water down the drain. It’s worth noting that you should only use boiling water if the drain and pipes are made from metal, and not if they are made from plastic. If this does not work you need to use a plunger on the sink. You should always make sure that there is a tight seal between the plunger and the sink drain before you start to plunge. 

These actions will often be successful in dealing with the blockage if it is not too solid. If you are still having difficulties with slow drainage after you have taken these actions it may be a good idea to contact a reputable plumber to help you out. Remember, the earlier you try to deal with the issue the easier it’s likely to be to resolve. 

It’s also worth remembering that once the sink is clearing effectively again you want to try and keep it that way. You should invest in a simple drain guard to try and prevent items from being washed down the drain and causing a blockage. 

Disclosure:  This is a contributed post.