Don’t ignore a slow draining water source in your sink, tub, or shower. It is important to address the problem immediately in order to prevent more serious plumbing issues. Figure out if the problem is confined to one drain or if it is widespread. You should immediately call a plumber if you notice that other tubs and sinks drain slowly.
If it’s only one problem, you may be able to resolve the issue by following a few steps.
- To determine the cause of the blockage, remove the drain stopper.
- To remove a visible clog, you can use your hands, pliers or a wire coat hanger.
- Run hot water down the drain if you are unable to reach the blockage. The debris may be removed by running hot water down the drain. If hot water doesn’t work, pour boiling water down the sink. But only if your pipes are made of metal and not PVC.
- To clear the blockage, you can use a plunger to drain the tub or sink. The standard cup-style plunger is dark red and has a flat, slightly wider rim. They also come in different sizes. The small plungers are ideal for sinks, while the larger ones work well in tubs and showers. The ball and flange plungers can only be used in toilets. They will not work in a tub, shower, or sink.
- Cover the outlet with a piece of waterproof tape or a washcloth.
- Just enough water to fill the sink or tub with water to just cover the top of your plunger
- To create a vacuum, place the plunger on the drain. Pump it several times. The suction can often loosen clogs and allow them to flow down the drain. Hair and some clogs will need to be removed from the drain.
- If the plunger fails to clear the clog then you can use a plumber’s snake (available at most hardware shops) to get through it and either pull it out or dislodge the blockage.