7 Ways To Fix A Slow-Draining Sink Before You Call A Plumber

Experiencing a slow-draining sink is one of life's greatest frustrations. You're unsure of the source of the problem and on top of the unsightly water build up (maybe some bad odors too), the last thing you want to think of is an unexpected plumbing bill.

But, if not taken care of, slow-draining sinks can cause bigger issues than the build up of water. "Slow-moving drains can cause major issues, including water damage, structural damage, pest infestations, bad odors, and an increase in utility bills," says Matt Kunz, the President of Mr. Rooter Plumbing.

More than the possible structural issues, Jade Piper of BetterCleans says the plumbing issues is more of a nuisance on daily living than anything. "When your sink or shower takes forever to drain, it’s not only annoying, but it can also mess up your daily routine. For instance, imagine you’re running late for work and the water won’t go down the drain. That’s inconvenient! Not to mention that the foul odors that come with stagnant water can be embarrassing when guests visit."

Noticing a slow movement of water in your kitchen or bathroom sink? Before you pick up the phone to call a plumber, try one of these seven DIY methods for breaking up clogs and restoring your drain's proper water flow.

What Causes a Slow-Draining Sink?

"Sometimes it’s just a buildup of hair, food scraps, and soap scum that clogs up the pipes," says Piper. "Other times, it’s those mineral deposits from hard water that narrow the diameter of the pipes." If your kitchen sink is constantly experiencing slow-moving drains, Piper says grease is the likely leading reason that can, over time, wear down the movement of your pipes. "If you’ve got an older home, wear and tear on plumbing fixtures and pipes can reduce water flow and cause drainage issues."

Believe it or not, the natural landscape of your home outside can also be another cause for your slow-draining sink. That's because tree roots are attracted to the moisture pipes exude that will cause the roots to grow towards the pipes. When they grow near the piping, they can enter a crack in the pipes and cause your sinks to clog.

Knowing the kind of clog your sink is dealing with is crucial for knowing how to treat the clog properly with specific cleaners and tools. Some sink cleaners on the market are built with certain chemicals that are designed to break down tougher particles than others.

DIY Methods To Fix a Slow-Draining Sink

Method 1: Boiling Water and Baking Soda

Boiling water is sometimes effective enough to breakdown small clogs from items like hair or small food bits. Mix it with baking soda and small clogs should dissolve after a few minutes.

Start by boiling a pot of hot water on your stove and pouring it slowly down your drain to loosen up the hair, food, or other debris. Then, pour a cup of baking down the drain and let it sit for at least ten minutes. While the baking soda is sitting, bring another pot of baking soda to a boil and slowly pour it back down the drain once the ten minutes are up.

You might have to repeat this method more than once to fully break up your sink clog.

Method 2: Vinegar and Baking Soda

For soap scum or grease clogs, we highly recommend adding vinegar to the solution. When these two ingredients mix, a powerful reaction occurs that creates carbon dioxide which helps to break through whatever is clogging your drain. This option is wonderful if you want to make your own drain cleaner without using a store-bought one that contains harsh chemicals.

The key for this method to work properly is to pour the solution immediately down the drain. Mix together 1/3 cup of both vinegar and baking soda in a bowl before pouring down your sink and letting the solution sit for an hour before rinsing with hot water.

Method 3: Drain Zip Tool

Sometimes the most effective way to unclog your sink to remove any debris yourself with the help of a zip tool. These tools are thin, flimsy, and built with barbed notches on the side that are used to grabbing hair and break through soap scum or other debris to remove them from your drain. The best part is that they're easy to use and super cheap!

Here's how to use a drain zip tool for stubborn clogs:

1. Insert the zip it tool all the way down your drain. The only part that should be sticking out is the handle.
2. Twist and move the zip tool in the sink to collect as much hair or debris as possible.
3. Begin pulling the zip tool back out of the drain slowly. If it feels hard to pull out, then that means you've collected a lot of junk (which is good). Keep pulling at the zip tool until it's completely out of the drain.
4. When the zip tool is out, immediately discard any hair or debris on the zip tool in a plastic bag.
5. Repeat the process until your sink is unclogged.

Since they're so easy to use (and budget-friendly), it's highly recommended by our pros to use zip tools as part of your routine drain maintenance to prevent future clogs. "It's easy to forget about them [drains], but trust me, you don't want to let debris and other gunk build up in there," says Piper. "I know it might seem like a minor inconvenience, but clogged drains can actually cause a lot of issues beyond just being a pain to deal with."

Method 4: Clean the Stopper

Overtime, your sink stopper can build up a clog from hair or soap that gets stuck at the bottom and cause water to move slowly down your drain. Removing your sink stopper is easy and doesn't require any special tools (unless it's not easy to remove), which comes in handy to give this part of your sink a clean every now and then to prevent future clogs.

You should be able to gently twist and pull your sink stopper out of the top of your sink to give it's a clean and remove any hair or debris. If your sink stopper isn't coming out, you might need to follow these steps:

1. Clear out items from underneath your sink. You will need to work around the pipes underneath to remove your stopper, so it's important to clear the area so you have room to move.
2. There should be a horizontal rod underneath your sink that's connected to the strap. Remove the rod but make sure you remember what hole rod was in to install it back correctly later on.
3. At the end of where your horizontal rod was should be a pivot nut that is attached to the sink drain. Go ahead and slide a bucket underneath the plumbing since you're going to unscrew the pivot nut and water may leak. You should be able to unscrew the pivot nut by hand, but if it's stubborn, you will need to use a wrench.
4. With the horizontal rod and pivot nut removed, you should be able to remove your sink stopper. Pull it out and clean off the hair and dirt before cleaning the entire stopper with hot water, soap, and vinegar.
5. The last step is to reassemble your parts. Put the stopper back in the sink before re-screwing the pivot nut, horizontal rod, and sliding your under sink items back into place.

Method 5: Plunge the Sink

One of the best way to unclog a slow-draining sink? With the help of a good ole plunger. This effective DIY method for unclogging a sink work the same way you'd plunge a toilet, but with a few tricks.

The key to plunging a sink is creating the right seal and applying the right amount of pressure. To do so, you don't want to plunge straight up and down since this locks air underneath. Instead, you'll want to roll the plunger around the sink opening to seal it for plunging.

Start by removing items from your sink and the stopper before filling the basin with two to three inches of hot water (hint: water is what helps to make the perfect seal). Roll the plunger over the sink and test the resistance. Is there's no resistance from your plunger, then it has no seal.

Grab the handle with two hands begin plunging for ten to twenty seconds. You should use force but not get too aggressive since this can make the clog worse. Pop the plunger off to test the movement of water before plunging again if the sink is still clogged.

Method 6: Try a Plumbing Snake

Plumbing snakes–otherwise known as augers–are similar to zip tools but are longer to reach deeper and tougher clogs since they can go anywhere from 25 to 50 feet deep. They work the same way by sticking the snake deep in the drain until the handle is the only thing left at the top, and then you twist to catch as much hair and gunk before pulling it out.

It's important to wear safety goggles and rubber gloves to protect your eyes from any flying debris that may pop out while you're unclogging the drains anytime you use a drain snake. If you're dealing with a clog in old, fragile pipes or your clog is not loosening with the snake, it's best to stop and call a professional o you don't further damage your pipes.

Method 7: Check and Clear the P-Trap

The p-trap is the tube underneath your sink that runs from the drainage system to the wall. The entire tube is shaped like a P with a J-shaped bend at the bottom responsible for trapping sewer gasses and keeping them from coming out of your sink. This section of the p-trap is also responsible for collecting debris as it's washed down the drain. Every now and then, the particles that are flushed down your sink build up and creates a clog, so it's important to inspect your p-trap regularly and clean it out to prevent a slow-draining sink.

Removing the p-trap is fairly easy; all you need is a pair of gloves, a bucket to catch falling water, and maybe a plumbing wrench to help you unscrew it. Remove items from below your sink so you have room to move around and begin twisting off the J-shaped portion of the p-trap.

You should see a lot of gunk in your p-trap that's easy to pull out with your gloved fingers. With the bucket underneath the remaining tube, run some hot water to flush any other clogs out before twisting your J-shaped bend back on. When everything is in place, test your sink by running more water to see how well it's draining.

Although you may only think to clean your p-trap when there's a clog, both experts agree this area of your sink should be added to your monthly cleaning list to keep the pipes clear. "Cleaning the P-trap will help keep sinks moving. The cleaning of a P-trap is included in a routine plumbing inspection or maintenance check and should be done regularly," says Kunz.

When To Seek Professional Help

Dealing with a stubborn clog that won't budge? It's time to call in a professional. "If you’ve tried solving it on your own but still there are no changes, call the pros," echoes Piper. "If you notice recurring clogs in multiple drains, it could mean something more serious is going on behind the scenes. Water leaks, like damp spots or water stains, and burst pipes are another nightmare scenario you want to avoid at all costs."

Additionally, if you hear any weird sounds while trying to fix your slow-draining sink, like gurgling water, stop what you're doing and call your nearest plumber. Sounds occur in slow-draining sinks when there's a clog that's creating a suction pull in the p-trap, which might need a professional to tackle.

Tips for Maintaining a Healthy Drainage System

Your drains are going to get clogged from time to time due to the amount of particles that get regularly flushed down the pipes, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't practice preventative measures to keep clogs at a minimum.

One of the best ways to prevent a clogged drain is being mindful of what you're flushing down the system. "Try to be mindful of what you're putting down your drains. Grease, oil, coffee grounds, and food scraps can all solidify, so it’s best to avoid pouring them down there," Piper says.

Another tip for keeping healthy drains is to add cleaning out your drains to your weekly chore list. Piper recommends flushing hot water and dish soap down your drains once a week to break down any grease or or soap scum that could be starting to accumulate. "And once a month, pour a mixture of baking soda and vinegar followed by hot water down your drains to dissolve any organic matter and keep your pipes clear."

If your pipes see consistent hair clogs or other clumpy particles, consider adding a drain cover to your system to catch these particles and prevent them from clogging your drains.

And of course, the number one tip echoed by both professionals is to have your drainage system routinely monitored by professional plumbers who can spot plumbing issues early and drain clogs to fix them before they become a bigger issue.