What’s slowing down your drains here in Virginia Beach? What can you do to prevent slow drains? And how can you get your drains flowing smoothly again?
A slow-moving drain is a plumbing issue that can leave you in limbo. It may not trouble you at first. However, as days go by, you realize something is wrong. You may find yourself washing your face over a sink that’s filled with water or showering in ankle-deep water. Ignore it for some weeks and the problem could turn serious.
Single Drain Issues at Home
A partial clog in your drain might be the reason you’re experiencing a slow drain.
Bathroom sinks, showers, and tubs: A lot goes down the drains of our sinks and tubs each day. Sometimes, hair gets caught by the stopper or blocks the P-trap. Beard trimmings and shaving cream can form a sticky lump, while soap scum can accumulate on the drain’s interior, impeding the flow of wastewater.
Toilets: Water, toilet paper, and feces are the only things that should go down the toilet drain. But some homeowners want to flush various kinds of materials that have clogged their drains. If at any time you have flushed wet pipes, cigarette butts, cotton swabs, or huge amounts of tissue, they might be the cause of the slow-moving drain.
Kitchen sinks: While the food we wash off the plates and kitchenware is biodegradable, they will linger for some time in the drain. Grease, fats, and oils tend to clump together and stick to the insides of the drain, impeding and eventually stopping water flow. The situation could get worse if food particles cling to the grease or coffee grounds slip to the bottom of the P-trap.
Clothes washers and dryers: Fibers get released in every wash cycle and these can go down the washer drain. When drying your clothes, fibers can also gather in the lint trap and form a clog in the drain.
Remedies for Single Slow Drains
Fortunately, the clogs and substances that build up and slow your drains are easier to access and remove. A plunger can clear all the small clogs. If that doesn’t work, try opening the bathroom sink stopper and removing hair and any other material that’s inside. Avoid chemical drain cleaners, as they can hurt your plumbing. If your slow drain issue persists, contact a qualified plumber to diagnose and fix the problem.
Multiple Slow Drains
If you have multiple slow drains in your home, there may be a serious or a much deeper problem with your system of drains, vent lines, or even the main sewer line. A backed-up sewer or damaged drain line can hurt your home badly, instigating anything from floods to foundation problems. It’s unlikely you’ll be able to resolve the issues yourself, and we urge you to call a professional plumber to uncover the problem.
Drainpipes: A network of drainpipes runs within your home, all leading to the main sewer line. Any material or substance that can cause your single drains to clog can make its way into your drainpipes and cause blockages that affect multiple drains. Older homes with galvanized steel stain pipes that run hard water might experience a buildup of limescale, which gradually restricts flow.
Vent pipes: These fixtures help create and maintain neutral air pressure within your drainpipes. Anytime water flows inside the pipes, it compresses the air ahead of it, creating a partial vacuum right behind it. Vent pipes allow fresh air from the outside to flow in and fill the vacuum, thereby equalizing air pressure. Without this airflow, unequal pressure will build up over time and slow down your drainage, causing problems. In winter, heavy snowfall can obstruct the vent pipes. Falling leaves and bird nests can also block the airflow. The same materials that can block your drains can also obstruct the vent pipes that connect to the drainpipes.
Main sewer line: All the drainpipes move wastewater to the sewer line, which directs it to the septic tank or the public sewer system. Anything that goes down your home’s drain passes to the main sewer line and has the potential to clog it. The line extends outside the house and underground. If the foundation settles, the sewer line can collapse partially. Tree roots can also snake their way into the lines and cause obstruction.
Best Remedies for Multiple Slow Drains
Because the source of multiple slow drains is usually found in less accessible parts of your drainage system, you will have to call your plumber to diagnose the problems. Cleaning the drainpipes or sewer lines with a commercial-grade auger or water jet might solve the problem. If your main sewer line is damaged, the plumber will perform the necessary repairs.
Don’t Ignore Slow-Moving Drains
Don’t normalize slow-moving drains. It’s a warning of an impending problem in your drainage system in Virginia Beach, VA. Fix both single slow drains and multiple slow drains before the materials clogging your drains goes deeper into the drainage system. Addressing the problems can prevent a total breakdown of your drainage system and costly repairs later on.
Hire a Top Plumber
A1 Sewer & Drain provides fast, affordable, and efficient solutions to stop your drainage issues at the source. We have expert plumbers and have yet to encounter a clog we couldn’t handle. If you need help with drain maintenance or plumbing checks, contact us to request an inspection and quote today.
