A slow draining sink can develop gradually. Each day you notice the draining is a little sluggish, until one day, you find it takes minutes for your basin to drain. A slow sink is not clogged, but in many cases, debris has collected or another issue has made the water flow inefficiently.
What Causes a Slow Draining Sink?
Here are some of the most common causes for this issue:
Tree roots: Tree roots can grow into sewer lines, causing damage and resulting in many issues, including slow draining sinks. It may not be obvious, but if you have cleaned your drains and still have an issue, it is time to suspect tree roots. Only a professional plumber can tell you for sure if tree roots are the cause and can work to solve the problem.
Clogs: Bathroom sinks are especially vulnerable to clogs since soap, hair and dirt accumulate slowly. It is possible to remove a smaller clog by pouring baking soda and vinegar down the drain and then flushing it with hot water. For more serious clogs, a plumber may use a small camera to locate the clog so it can be removed.
Sludge: Sludge can collect in the septic tank, blocking the main line and causing water to flow slower. Suddenly having all your sinks draining slowly can indicate the issue is septic tank sludge, but only a plumber can correctly diagnose the problem.
Old plumbing: Older plumbing was simply not built for maximum water flow. Over time, deterioration of the pipes and other plumbing elements can cause water to flow more slowly, because you may have rust build-up or other damage in old pipes.
P-trap issues: The P-trap is the bent pipe under your sink. The bend means debris can easily accumulate in it, causing slow draining of your sink. In kitchens, any grease poured down the sink can get stuck in the P-trap.
Contact Mr. Rooter of Oneida
A slow draining sink may not be as dramatic as a clog, but it is important to address it. A sink draining slowly can be a sign of a serious problem with your plumbing system and may get worse over time. Catching the problem quickly and addressing it can save you time and expense.
Contact Mr. Rooter of Oneida to schedule one of our licensed plumbers — they are certified by Onondaga County for any plumbing related project.