07 August

How to Fix a Slow Drain

In this fast-paced world of instant messaging and instant noodles, we rarely have tolerance for things that are too slow.

Slow internet, slow delivery, and the worst of them all: slow drains.

There is barely anything more exasperating than playing a waiting game with a sink, bathtub, or shower full of dirty water… and losing.

When you have a slow-draining sink, shower, or bathtub, your plans for the day tend to go down the drain—so it’s best to act fast to find a remedy.

If you’re feeling a bit handy, check out these DIY tips that will fix your drains in no time.

DIY Tips for Fixing a Slow Drain

1. Good Old Baking Soda

Baking soda can be considered a versatile wonder solution because it’s actually a life-saver in various situations. Seriously, we’re very close to believing that baking soda is secretly a magic potion undercover as a cooking ingredient.

Now, this kitchen essential is stepping up to the plate to help fix your slow-draining sink predicament. Here’s how it’s done:

Step 1: Boil a full pot of water and set it aside.

Step 2: Measure around ½ cup of baking soda and pour it directly down the drain.

Step 3: Chase it down with ½ cup of vinegar.

Step 4: Let the mixture sit in the drain for five to ten minutes to let the baking soda and vinegar combine.

Step: 5: Remember that pot of boiling water that you set aside a moment ago? Well, now is it’s time to shine! Pour all of it down the drain.

This basic yet efficient formula should clear out your drain problem.

2. Zip-It Drain Tool

If the baking soda technique doesn’t do the trick, you can always take another swing at it with the Zip-It method.

The Zip-It tool is perfect for catching large volumes of hair or other types of debris that clogged the drain. Once you pull the tool back out of the drain, you’ll find out if a huge clump of hair was, indeed, the villain in this story.

In case hair wasn’t the problem, we have another great DIY solution for you coming up next…

3. Plunge Away

Plungers aren’t exclusively for toilets; they’re also an effective tool for dislodging debris that accumulated in a pipe drain.

For extra plunging power, cover the sink overflow with duct tape or a rag. This helps create a makeshift seal, which is needed to clear out blockages.

4. A Classic Drain Cleaner Solution

Grab your wallet and keys because this DIY hack for slow drains will take you to your local hardware or grocery store.

When baking soda, zip-its, and plungers fail, it’s time to resort to a household drain cleaning solution from store shelves. The directions are usually pretty simple. Just pour it down the stubborn drain in question and wait. If the water still doesn’t drain, you may need to recruit the services of a professional plumber.

Common Causes of Slow Drains

Clogs are the typical culprits behind slow drains. They can plague bathtubs, sinks, and pretty much anything with a drain.

Common Causes of Clogged Drains

• Hair;
• Soap scum;
• Toilet paper particles;
• Feminine products;
• Dirt;
• Sand;
• Grease;
• Food residue (e.g. coffee grounds, egg shells, vegetable peels); and 
• Tree roots.

In the event that blockages aren’t the problem, you could be dealing with damaged or corroded pipes or P-trap issues.

Get on the Fast Track to Fixing a Slow Drain

Repairing a slow drain isn’t always as easy as D-I-Y. Whether it’s easy to fix or not, sometimes you simply aren’t in the mood or don’t have the time to do it yourself.

When you hit a roadblock with your own plumbing skills, call on the professionals for a fast and effective solution.

PlumbWize stands at the forefront of plumbing expertise. With more than 60 years of comprehensive experience, we never fail to deliver holistic solutions in Burlington, Oakville, and Hamilton.

From repairing slow-draining sinks to bathtub installation, PlumbWize is always the wisest solution.

Get a quote today!

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