The drain in your home is one of the most important parts of your plumbing system. It’s there to take up all the water that we flush down our toilets and sinks, and it’s also there to clean itself out so that it can do its job again.

But sometimes the drain gets clogged up, and even though you’ve tried everything to get rid of the blockage, nothing has worked. And if this has happened to you, then you know how frustrating it can be to spend hours stuck in the bathroom trying to clear a clog with chemicals or manual tools when all you want is for things to move along smoothly again.

There are a lot of reasons why drains can become slow-moving and clogged up over time. If your drain gets backed up with hairballs or other types of debris, then it can take longer for those particles to pass through. And if there’s not enough space for them to fit through your pipes, then they’ll just stay stuck in one place until they get cleared out somehow—and that could take hours!

But all hope isn’t lost! We have some tips below on how you can fix your slow drain yourself without having to pour harsh chemicals down.

Here are some tips and tricks that will help you get rid of that nasty build-up and make sure your drains running smoothly.

Take Down the Pop-Up

The shape of the sink pop-up can trap debris and build-up. If you do not have a Zip-it tool, or if the tool was unable to clear out all debris, another option is to remove the pop-up and clean it out.  To remove pop-ups, reach behind the sink to find the pop-up nut. Once the nut is removed and the pop-up is pulled out of the sink drain, clean it thoroughly. Then reinstall it into place by threading it onto the drain pipe under the sink.

Zip-It Tool

This inexpensive drain-cleaning tool is a must-have for any homeowner who has to remove hair or debris from the drain. The tool has little hooks all along its length, which attach and grab on to everything it comes in contact with—perfect for the bathroom sink or shower drain. You only need to slowly slide the tool up and down, making sure it collects as much as possible, and then totally take it out. After taking it out, you have two options:

You may either entirely throw it or remove the attached hair and dirt, wash it, and then re-use it or save it for another time. For continued maintenance of your drain’s cleanliness, the tool’s manufacturer suggests using it once a month.

You can try removing the pop-up before using the tool, if it doesn’t work properly then remove the pop-up and try again.

Homemade Drain Cleaner

There appears to be a debate over which homemade drain cleaner to use. The majority of people feel that conventional vinegar, baking soda, and hot water are excellent at cleaning drains; however, some claim that this typical homemade drain cleaner accomplishes nothing and have devised a few different methods to clean their drains.

Given the fact that so many people have tried various methods for cleaning clogged drains, it’s safe to say that there are several different ways to get rid of the problem.

  • Hot water and dish soap are excellent products for washing a kitchen sink as the hot water will dissolve any grease build-up.
  • Bob Vila has adapted the classic homemade drain cleaner recipe by replacing vinegar with cream of tartar.

Clear the Sink Overflow

The overflow opening on a sink allows water to flow into the drain if it rises too high. But another important purpose of an overflow opening is to allow air into the drain when the sink is filled with water. The air that comes into the sink through the overflow tube helps water to drain faster. Over time, debris and build-up can collect in the overflow tube, making it difficult for water to drain properly. If your sink is draining slowly and cleaning it does not seem to solve your problem, clean out the overflow tube as well.

Use a Plunger

You don’t have to wait until the toilet is completely clogged to use a plunger, and it’s useful for more than just the toilet. However, you’ll need to get one that isn’t intended for the toilet and totally covers your sink drain. Use a moist towel to seal any sink overflows or other holes. Then, pour some water into the sink and plunge completely but gently multiple times. If the water runs out, you’ll know it worked. After that, run the hot water for a few minutes to ensure that everything has been washed away.

The tips and tricks listed above are simple to accomplish and do not require much knowledge of plumbing to make them successful. Once you have fixed your slow drain, it is important to stay on top of preventative maintenance to avoid future clogs.

If you’ve tried all of the methods listed above and the water is still draining slowly, then it is time to call a Caccia plumber. They will happily visit your home and ensure that your drain is operating properly before they go.

For slow drains, leaks, and all other plumbing issues, call us at (650) 442-1470 or contact us online for a free estimate today.