Have Slow Drains? Here's What You Should Know

Do you have a drain in your home that's draining slower than it should? A slow-moving drain isn't a problem that should be ignored; it may be a sign you have a more serious plumbing problem and it likely means your drain is on its way to being completely clogged.

What Causes Slow Drains?

Any drain in your home can develop problems that cause slow water drainage. The cause of the slow-moving drain often depends on the location of the drain. Here are some of the most common reasons drains become sluggish depending on the drain location.

  • Kitchen Sink Drain: If your kitchen sink drains slowly, it's likely caused by a build-up of grease, oil, detergent, or food particles that are sticking to the drain pipe wall.
  • Bathroom Sink Drain: A slow bathroom sink drain is most often caused by an accumulation of toothpaste and soap scum in the drain pipe.
  • Toilet Drain: Slow toilet drains are usually the result of items being flushed down the toilet that do not break apart such as baby wipes, dental floss, cotton Q-tips, and feminine hygiene products. Sometimes a slow drain is the result of too much waste or toilet paper.
  • Bathtub or Shower Drain: Slow bathtub and shower drains are usually caused by an accumulation of dirt, hair, and soap scum. Over time, this debris will accumulate in the drain and make it harder for water to flow through the pipe.
  • Floor Drain: Floor drains are often forgotten until they develop a clog or other problem. Floor drains usually become slow when they become clogged with clumps of organic material like hair or even foreign objects like Q-tips or toys.

If you have a single slow-moving drain, it's probably caused by one of the reasons explained above. You may also have a clog in one of the secondary branch lines in your home that feed into the problem drain. Sometimes a slow drain is caused by a more serious problem: a clog in the main drainpipe or sewer line. All of the drains in your home flow into your main sewer pipe which carries waste water away from the home. A clog in your sewer line is very serious as it can lead to a sewer back-up into your home. A main sewer line clog is the likely culprit if you have more than one slow drain.

Solutions for Slow-Moving Drains

Whether you have one or more slow drains in your home, there are several potential solutions to the problem. The first step is contacting a licensed plumber who can diagnose and fix the problem. If the cause of the problem isn't obvious, a plumber may use a diagnostic drain camera to pinpoint the source of the issue. Video plumbing inspections involve feeding a high-definition camera through the drain to visualize the interior of the pipe. This inspection can determine exactly what's causing the problem so the plumber can recommend the best course of action.

A licensed plumber can perform several services to restore proper flow to your drains and keep problems at bay.

Rooter Service

Rooter service originated when tree roots were the culprit behind most clogged and slow drains. Still in use after more than 80 years, rooter service involves running a cable with sharp rotating blades through your drain to break up clogs deep inside your pipes. As the rooter works through your pipe, the blades can dislodge most items that lead to a build-up in the pipe including soap scum, oil, grease, food particles, roots, and many foreign objects. Once the clogs are destroyed, your drain will once again flow freely.

Hydro-Jetting

Hydro-jetting is an eco-friendly and effective way to completely clean the interior of your pipes without causing damage. Hydro-jetting involves the use of high-pressure water jets that penetrate and emulsify grease and fats, break up debris, removes hardened scale, and flushes the entire system. Hydro-jetting doesn't just cut through clogs; powerful forward and reverse water jets direct a powerful stream of water to thoroughly clean pipes and prevent drain problems for years to come.

Whatever you do, don't use store-bought chemical drain cleaners to break up clogs or fix a slow-moving drain. Even if the product works in the short-term, chemicals can actually do long-term damage to your plumbing system. This is especially true if you have an aging plumbing system. Pouring chemicals down your drain can lead to corrosion, pinhole leaks, and more problems in the long-run. Always turn to a professional plumber to deal with stubborn clogs and slow-moving drains to protect your plumbing system.