Our sinks are one of the most used types of equipment in our house. We use it in various ways such as cleaning our hands, washing the dishes, rinsing our clothes, and many more. This is also the reason why it often encounters problems, particularly slow sink drain.
Almost every household has encountered a slow and sluggish sink drain. It is also the most common type of problem in the household when it comes to plumbing issues. It can be quite frustrating when we encounter this type of problem as it can lead to buildups, stains, smells, and molds and mildews especially when not repaired or fixed immediately.
A slow sink drain can be caused by several types of build-ups including soap, hair and debris, and many more. When the build-up becomes bigger, it reduces the size of the drain hence results in a slow draining process of water.
Don’t worry though, as these type of build-ups are very common as it happens all the time. It cannot be avoided. The only way to resolve this problem is by cleaning your drain regularly to keep the water flowing without blockages.
BTW, if you are interested in topics like this, click here.
Causes of Slow Sink Drain
Before we start how to fix it, let first discuss what causes your sink to drain slowly. There are several causes which include:
- Tree Roots: For those who have pipes under their yard, tree roots can penetrate and grow into your sewer lines hence causing problems throughout your pipe systems which include drainage problems. In this case, the tree must be removed.
- Minor Clogs: The most common cause of slow sink drain clogs in the pipeline. There are several home solutions that can fix this kind of issue with your drains.
- Septic tank sludge: When sludge begins to collect in your septic tank, it will block your main pipeline hence causing the drains in your home to slow in your entire home.
- Deterioration: Pipes can deteriorate due to their age and the chemicals that pass through them. Once this happens, rust will begin to appear and corrode it. The only way to fix this is by changing it with a new one.
- Stuck objects: Small objects such as toys, jewelry can get lodge in by accident hence causing them to block your drains. Most often it can be simply pulled out using a straightened hanger to loop to fish out the object.
Guide to Fix a Slow Sink Drain
There are various ways that you can fix your sluggish sink drain. Below is a guide to show you how:
1. Using a Zip-It Tool
The first thing you need to do is to clear out any debris collected in your sink. One of the easiest ways to do this is by using a Zip-It Tool. You can place the Zip-It Tool in the drain to catch any debris that may gather in your drain. Once you see that there is, you just simply pull the tool out and discard the collected debris. Zip-It Tool can be used in a sink drain with or without a pop-up.
2. Remove and Clean the Pop-up
Another option to fix your slow drains is by removing your pop-out and cleaning all the debris that may be stuck into it. This is because most pop-ups have a shape that allows them to gather and collect debris inside.
3. Make a Homemade cleaner
Making a homemade cleaner is very simple as there now various tutorial in the web that shows you how to make it. It is a very effective method as the reaction of the combined household product can clear out any residue that may cause the sluggish flow of your drains. This is best done after you have collected the debris from the sink. Pour it inside your pipes and wait for a few minutes for it to set. Always remember to always proceed with caution when dealing with chemicals by wearing proper protective equipment.
4. Clean the Sink Overflow Opening
Another way to fix the problem is by cleaning the sink overflow opening. The important purpose of a sink overflow opening is to let the air inside the drain when it is filled with water. The air helps the water to drain faster by pushing it. Cleaning it helps remove any unwanted debris that blocks the air passing through.