Clogs Happen—Here’s What to Do!
We’ve all been there: you’re washing the dishes, and the suds start going down the drain—but much more slowly than usual. Or you’re in the shower, and all at once you’re standing ankle-deep in water. What gives?
Though a slow drain might feel like a sudden development, it’s actually a gradual process, building up behind the scenes over time and use. Fortunately, this situation usually doesn’t require a full-on plumbing repair. In this blog, we’ll explain how it happens and what you can do to take care of it safely and effectively!
The Slow Build to a Sudden Stop
One major cause of slow drains is residue buildup from the things we pour down the sink or tub. In kitchen sinks, grease and food particles are often to blame. In bathrooms, you can point the finger at hair clumps and grooming products like soap and toothpaste. This stuff can get stuck in popup stoppers or the P-trap under the sink and partially or fully block the flow of water.
In areas with hard water, like the Coachella Valley, drain pipes can also get narrower over time thanks to mineral deposits from the water—sort of like plaque in blood vessels. Eventually it reaches a tipping point where it noticeably affects the efficiency of your drain, leaving you wondering what happened.
Keep in mind that when a slow drain seems to come out of nowhere, it’s probably not because you or a family member just flushed something you shouldn’t have. It’s the result of normal wear and tear, even when you maintain good sink habits. The sad truth is that it’s going to happen once in a while!
A Little Prevention & a Little Elbow Grease
Usually, a small, simple blockage only needs a bit of DIY maintenance. Just remember not to use harsh chemical drain cleaners! They may work fast, but they can also damage your plumbing.
Instead, try the following:
- Flush the drain with hot water and dish soap to loosen grease. Do not use boiling water if your pipes are plastic.
- Clean the P-trap, the U-shaped pipe under the sink, by placing a bucket beneath it, unscrewing the slip nuts, and emptying the gunk into the bucket.
- Use a plumbing snake for minor to moderate blockages.
- Use a small cup plunger for a minor clog in a sink drain, making sure to seal any nearby overflow holes first.
Then, once things are back to normal, keep up these habits to make slow drains less frequent:
- Watch what you pour down the sink, and avoid things like bacon grease, oils, coffee grounds, eggshells, and fibrous or starchy food scraps. These materials should not even go into a garbage disposal.
- Use drain strainers in your kitchen and bathroom to collect large pieces of food or other debris, including hair. Be sure to empty these regularly.
- Clean drains with vinegar and baking soda on occasion. Pour in one cup of baking soda followed by one cup of vinegar, wait for 15 minutes, and then rinse with hot water.
Natural enzyme cleaners, which are gentler on your equipment, are another good way to break down organic matter in your pipes when used on a monthly basis.
When to Seek Help
Sometimes, a persistently slow or blocked drain may require professional drain cleaning. If the clog isn’t responding to any DIY measures, keep resisting those harsh liquid cleaners. A licensed plumber can help you clear the block without damaging your equipment!
Other indications that you need a professional include gurgling in the drain, foul sewer smells, and several clogs occurring in different rooms. In cases like this, it’s smart to have a plumber accurately diagnose the issue and address it with precision and care.
Drain maintenance is a service Timo’s is happy to offer. As a leading provider of plumbing services in the Coachella Valley, we use up-to-date techniques and technology to find the problem and tackle it with the most fitting solution.
Through the end of May, you can also take advantage of our Summer-Ready Sales Event to get 20% off a plumbing repair. To schedule service, contact us online or call 760.459.5034! We’ll get that water flowing smoothly in no time.
