A sink is an important plumbing fixture in the kitchen. Without a sink, it is nearly impossible to do 90% of tasks in the kitchen. Because of its frequent operation, it can get clogged partially and start draining slowly. A slow draining sink is a common plumbing issue most homeowners experience. When the sink takes too long to drain, you waste a lot of time doing a task you finish quickly. This can be frustrating, especially if you are in a rush. Several issues can lead to a slow draining kitchen sink, and knowing the cause will enable you to take the right action. In this article, let’s look at what causes a sink to drain slowly and what you can do to fix the problem.

Slow Draining Kitchen Sink

Contents

1 5 Common Causes of a Slow Draining Kitchen Sink
2 How Do You Fix a Slow Draining Sink?
3 Final Words

5 Common Causes of a Slow Draining Kitchen Sink

Some of the reasons your kitchen sink might be draining slowly include:

1. Grease

When grease accumulates in the pipes leading to the kitchen sink, it can cause clogs. Grease initially gets into the sink in liquid form, but when it cools, it solidifies and adheres to the drain pipe walls. Over time, the buildup can accumulate and create a blockage, minimizing the water flow through the pipes.

The solidified grease traps other debris, further leading to a severe clog that can stop the sink’s operation completely. When you notice the kitchen sink is draining slowly, call a professional to fix the problem. Don’t wait until your sink is fully clogged, as it can be costly and time-consuming to fix.

2. Food Scraps

Food scraps can also cause the sink to drain slowly, especially for homeowners with a habit of pouring leftovers into the sink. When food scraps are poured into the sink, they don’t get dissolved like soap scum. Instead, they remain in the pipes and harden, causing a clog. It gets worse if the food scraps are large or have a combination of grease and soap scum.

To prevent clogging, use a sink strainer to catch food scraps before they reach the pipes. Ensure the strainer is inspected now and then to prevent buildup that might make it dysfunctional.

3. P-Trap Issues

Kitchen Sink P-trap

A P-trap is an essential plumbing fixture located beneath the sink. The role of this component is to trap debris before it travels further into the pipes. Also, the fixture creates a barrier that prevents sewer gases from entering your home. When the P-trap is not checked regularly, it can become overly full because of debris accumulation. When this happens, the P-trap causes your sink to drain slowly as the water in the sink tries to force its way past the P-trap.

If the P-trap is not installed correctly, it may not function properly. For instance, if there are gaps in the connections, water will not flow smoothly, leading to slow drainage. If you suspect the P-trap is experiencing issues causing your kitchen sink to drain slowly, call an expert for help.

4. Aging Pipes

Over time, plumbing pipes corrode and deteriorate. As the pipes wear down, their efficiency is reduced and this can affect your sink’s performance. The process of pipe aging causes clogs by creating pockets where food scraps, soap scum, and grease can buildup. To ensure there are no clogs, have your pipes inspected regularly. Regular inspection enables you to spot minor issues and have them fixed before they become expensive to fix.

5. Issues with the Garbage Disposal

If your kitchen sink has a garbage disposal, it might be causing all the drainage issues. If there is a clog in the disposal, turning on the disposal might break up the clog. But if the disposal system is overheated or dysfunctional, it may not turn on. However, you can activate the reset switch at the side of the unit for a quick reboot. After resetting, try turning it on again to clear the clog.

After disconnecting the power, try breaking up the clog by turning the blades using an Allen wrench. Insert the wrench into the hole on the bottom of the disposal and twist it until you start feeling some resistance. If you feel some resistance, it means the clog is starting to break up.

Once unclogged, you can turn the back on and test the garbage disposal. If the sink is still draining slowly, consider getting some professional help.

How Do You Fix a Slow Draining Sink?

Now that you have an idea of what might be causing your kitchen sink to drain slowly, it is time to take action. However, keep in mind that fixing a slow draining sink yourself also comes with risks. If you don’t want to damage your kitchen’s plumbing, call a professional to do the job for you. However, if you are confident you can fix a slow draining sink, try the remedies below before calling an expert for help.

1. Try Boiling Water

If you suspect your sink’s efficiency is being reduced by grease or soap scum buildup, boiling water can be a simple and effective solution. Hot water helps loosen hardened grease and clear away the clog. Try pouring a pot of hot water into the sink a couple of times and check to see if the sink’s performance has improved.

However, remember that this method is suitable for metal and PVC pipes. It is not advisable to use it on plastic pipes because they can easily get damaged. If the pipes leading to your sink are made of plastic, avoid trying this method. Instead, contact a plumber, and they will offer the best solution.

2. Look for a Plunger

Plunger

If the kitchen sink continues to drain slowly even after pouring hot water, try using the plunger. A plunger is not only suitable for unclogging a toilet but it can also be used to fix a clogged kitchen sink. If you don’t have one, head to your local hardware store and purchase a kitchen sink plunger, a smaller one than the one used for the toilet.

To use the kitchen sink plunger: first, fill the sink with enough water to cover the plunger’s bell. If you have a double sink, block the unclogged drain with a stopper to create a reliable seal. Now, position the plunger over the drain opening, ensuring the rubber cup has completely covered the drain. Push the plunger down firmly, then pull it up quickly. Keep repeating this motion to create a vacuum and pressure that will help dislodge the clog.

When the suction clears the clog, remove the plunger and run some warm water into the sink drain for several minutes. If the sink continues to drain slowly, repeat the process as it can take several attempts to clear the clog completely.

3. Inspect the Garbage Disposal

If you turn the system on and it produces a humming sound, the unit could be broken. Before fixing the unit, ensure the power to the unit is disconnected to prevent an accident. Remember, never at any given time should you stick your hand inside the unit. After disconnecting the power, try breaking up the clog by turning the blades using an Allen wrench. Insert the wrench into the hole on the bottom of the disposal and twist it until you start feeling some resistance. If you feel some resistance, it means the clog is starting to break up.

Once unclogged, you can turn the back on and test the garbage disposal. If the sink is still draining slowly, consider getting some professional help.

4. Use Baking Soda and Vinegar

Instead of pouring harsh chemicals down the kitchen sink, why not try baking soda and vinegar? Unlike chemicals, baking soda, and vinegar are readily available and environmentally friendly. For this mixture to work its magic, follow the following steps:

Remove all the standing water in the sink
Pour ½ cup of baking soda down the drain

Add a ½ cup of white vinegar. After adding vinegar, you will hear some fizzing and bubbling as the reaction between baking soda and vinegar occurs
Use the drain stopper to cover the sink opening and allow the mixture to sit for about 15 minutes. The chemical reaction will help break the clog
After 15 minutes, remove the stopper and let hot water run down the drain to clear the more severe clogs

Sometimes, this method doesn’t always have a 100% success rate. But if your sink performance improves, repeat the steps again to have a fast-draining kitchen sink.

5. Clean the P-trap

P-trap

As we said earlier, the P-trap can get clogged by food, grease, and other debris when they accumulate for too long, making your sink drain slowly. To fix the P-trap, you will have to disassemble it. Because the task can be messy, you will need some gloves. When ready, follow the following steps:

Place a bucket underneath the pipe to catch any debris or backed-up water that may fall when the P-trap is opened
Use a wrench or pliers to loosen the slip nuts on both ends of the P-trap. Ensure you turn them counterclockwise to loosen

Once the slip nuts are loose, remove the P-trap carefully
Clean all the grime, residue, and food particles
While the P-trap is off, check to see if the pipes have any signs of clogs and clean them if needed

Reconnect the trap
Run water through the drain to see if the problem has been solved.

Cleaning the P-trap is a simple DIY method that can resolve issues caused by clogs. If the slow drainage persists even after cleaning the P-trap, you will need to explore other methods. To avoid wasting time, look for professional help.

6. Use the Plumber’s Snake

Also, known as an auger or drain snake, this plumbing tool is good for tackling severe clogs located deeper in the drainpipe. Because using a drain snake requires more skills and patience, you will need the help of an expert. But if you have the skills, you are ready to go. To use a drain snake, do the following:

First, you need to have the right plumbing snake because they are different. For a kitchen sink, look for a handheld one that is flexible and easy to use

Slowly feed the snake into the drain, turning the handle clockwise. Keep pushing until you start feeling some resistance

Once you reach the clog, rotate the snake clockwise while applying some pressure. The action will break up the clog so you can pull it out
When the snake has hooked onto the clog or broken it, withdraw it carefully from the drain
After withdrawing the snake, run hot water into the drain to clear any remaining debris

If the slow drain issue persists, repeat the process several times.

Final Words

To fix a slow-draining kitchen sink, first, you need to determine what might be causing the issue. Most of the time, the problem is caused by clogs that have accumulated over time. With the tips above, it will be easy to fix a slow draining sink. Also, ensure you have good drainage habits, so your sink doesn’t get clogged now and then.

Why is My Kitchen Sink Draining Slowly?