Why Is My Drain Slow?

Why Is My Drain Slow?

A slow drain is a common inconvenience for homeowners, and something we all have to deal with at some point. While it’s normally a minor plumbing issue, it’s not something you can just ignore. Not only that it makes your tasks slower, but a slow drain can also lead to build-ups, mold, stains, unpleasant smells, and other problems.

The reasons why your sink, bathtub, or shower drain is slow have to do with what goes into the drain in the first place. Kitchen and bathroom sinks, in particular, are affected by the debris and scum that gets drained in them on a regular basis.

If you are not aware of what you are pouring down the drain and don’t perform minimal regular drain maintenance, your drain will eventually drain slowly or clog completely.

Common Causes for Slow Drains

Several possible causes are leading to a slow drain, and we will list the most common ones, so you will be able to identify the problem more easily through elimination.

• Clogs and build-up: Your drain will flush the water away slowly if it’s partially clogged. Most commonly, grease, oil, soap scum, hair, food scraps, and other types of debris are the culprits. Make sure you avoid draining too much debris and try to unclog your drains once in a while with boiled water, baking soda, and vinegar or by calling a plumber.

• Blocked vent pipes: Vent pipes are pipes connected to the drain system, allowing air to flow through it, removing bad smelling gases, and regulating the pressure inside the plumbing system. If there is any blockage of the outside ending of the vent pipes, your drains might be slow.

• Clogged P-trap: The P-trap is the U-shaped pipe segment under your sink that is designed to trap water in it, to prevent sewer gases from coming inside your home. Because of its shape, it can clog easily if you pour grease down the drain, as it will pool in the P-trap, making other debris stick to it.

• Corroded or old pipes: One of the problems that lead to slow drains is related to the age and condition of the drain pipes. If you have an old plumbing system or one that was attacked by corrosive substances, hard water, or other issues, you might have leaks, slow drains, clogs, etc.

Are Your Drains Slow? We Can Help!

If you want to get rid of your slow drain problem and not take forever with every task you need to do at the sink, call a plumber to identify the issue and take the necessary action. We at Anytime Plumbing are happy to help you with this, as we offer the best Santa Cruz plumbing services.

Give us a call right now and schedule an inspection. With us, you can rest assured that the problem will be fixed quickly and professionally.