Do you have slow, sluggish sink drains? This is one of the most common plumbing issues that people face, especially with the kitchen drain which often becomes slow as a result of bits of food and grease clogging the drain. The good news is that there are a few solutions to try that should help to improve the drainage and stop water from pooling up when you are running the tap.
Prevention
Before looking at how to fix a slow drain it’s worth mentioning some quick tips on how to prevent debris building up. Don’t pour waste oil or grease down the sink, instead wait for it to solidify and put it in the bin. When wiping up crumbs off your worksurface put them into the bin not the sink, and if you have a stylish undermount sink in your kitchen makes sure crumbs that are wiped into the sink are caught by a strainer and put into the bin. Lastly, be sure to remove any food debris that have become caught in the plug hole after washing up.
So, what are the best ways to fix a slow sink drain?
Clear Debris with Zip-It Tool
A good place to start is to use a zip-it tool to clear out any debris. These tools can pull out hair and other debris that might be stuck and causing the sink to drain slowly, which could immediately improve the flow and solve the issue.
Clear the Overflow
The sink overflow is useful for diverting water if it reaches too high and to allow air into the drain, but build-up of debris and grime can cause the water to drain slowly, so you should clear the overflow if cleaning the drain does not solve the issue.
Use a Plunger
A plunger can also be useful in this situation as a way to dislodge hair, debris and anything else that could be clogging the drain. The key is to make sure that you are creating a tight seal that will help to move any debris.
Remove the Pop-Up
Often, simply removing the sink pop up and cleaning it out will be enough to solve the issue as they can become clogged or hair might wrap itself around the pop-up. This is why it is a good idea to remove and clean the pop up on a regular basis.
Melt the Sludge
Often, a slimy coating on the drainpipe will create drainage issues and it can be easy to dislodge this by melting the sludge. You can do this by pouring some baking soda into the drain followed by white wine vinegar. You should then block the drain with a small rag, wait for 15 minutes or so and then pour boiling water down the drain to flush out the slime.
If you have sinks that drain slowly then these are the best solutions to try and should resolve the issue. This is one of the most common plumbing issues but also one that can usually be solved without too much effort.
