One of the most annoying problems of homeownership is a slow draining sink. If it has happened to you, you would know how problematic it is. A kitchen sink that takes an hour to drain is no good for anything but growing algae and bacteria.
If you live in a considerably old house, you could blame it on old cast iron drain pipes. They could be rusted and narrowed, which increases the time required for draining.
However, you may need to call the experts if you have slow draining kitchen sinks because the pipe leading from the main drain to the street is full of roots or because grease and soap scum are collecting in it.
They will solve your problem without creating any mess in your house.
Causes of Slow-Draining Sinks
There can be several causes for a slow draining kitchen sinks. You need to know the reasons before you have the problem fixed. Here, they are:
- Roots in Drain
If you live near a mature tree, it could be the culprit. Tree roots could have invaded your drainage system and eventually reached the point where they block or slow down water flow.
You can quickly identify this problem by pouring a large amount of water into the sink. If it takes ages for the dishwater to drain, you have an infiltration issue.
- Collapsed Pipes
When old cast-iron pipes are rusted out and pitted, they cannot handle much pressure or water volume. This issue results in slow draining. If this is your problem, it may require excavation inside the house to replace old piping with PVC or copper ones.
- Soap Scum in Drain
When you pour something oily or greasy into the sink, most of it goes down the drain with the water. However, a little bit remains on the gutter’s sides and the pipe leading to the main drain.
The more you pour down, the more there will be on your pipes. You cannot see this scum, but it can accumulate and cause a clog of your drainage system.
- Bad Backsplash
This problem refers to cases where water splashes over the sink’s edge and goes down the drain. If you have never cleaned the area behind the sink, the chances are that it has accumulated dirt and debris over time. All this scum could eventually block your pipes.
- Poor Plumbing Installation
If your kitchen sink installation is faulty, slow draining could be the underlying cause. For example, the drain waste arm might be too short or long.
If you suspect installation issues are the case with your kitchen sink, don’t try to fix things yourself. Call experts in plumbing services to do a thorough examination of your system.
- Sink Trap
If you have never replaced your sink trap, it could be the culprit of your slow drain problems.
A sink trap is a U-shaped pipe under the kitchen sink whose function is to keep sewer gases and other elements from entering the house through the drain system by closing tightly. If this little piece has deteriorated over time, it will not close tightly anymore.
- Corrosion
Over time, cast iron pipes used for drains can corrode due to many factors like high pH levels in water or chemical reactions.
Pipes and joints made of cast iron will rust and corrode, lowering their ability to withstand pressure and volume of water passing through them. Eventually, they become so small that you need to replace them altogether.
How to Fix Slow Draining Sink
If you have tried troubleshooting the causes of slow draining sinks on your own and failed, don’t hesitate to call a plumber to do the job.
Experienced professionals can fix your problem by locating the primary source of slow draining and providing solutions that you cannot think of.
A plumber will address a slow drain and use a professional-grade snake or other tools. These plumbing tools are much stronger than the cheap ones sold in hardware stores. They have bigger cutting heads to cut through roots faster and more efficiently.
Professional drain cleaners use high-pressure water jets to cut through grease and tough clogs in your drainage system. This step is the best way to ensure you have a clean and clear sewage system.
Another thing a plumber may do is replace the existing sink trap with a new one. This procedure will take care of problems related to corrosion or deterioration.
Plumbing experts also check the drain waste arm and replace it if necessary.
If you want to ensure that the problem with your drain does not persist, you should have these professionals check other parts of your drainage system.
Sluggish kitchen sink drains are a plumbing nightmare, but they are easy fixes when you rely on professional services. Plumbers can handle all kinds of issues in your drainage system, so don’t hesitate to call them when you need help.
