Slow drains and weak water flow can signal a buildup. A sink that backs up, a shower that holds water, or a faucet that loses pressure often points to a clog, calcium, or debris in the fixture. When kitchen and bathroom plumbing problems show up, we check the simple items first and stay clear about when cleaning will not solve it.
Problems That Start With Drain Blockages
Sink, Shower, And Tub Drains That Plug Up
The drain in the sink can get plugged up, and the drain in the shower or tub can slow down, too. On bathtubs, the cause is often hair, and we have also seen Band-Aids from children create clogs.
To clear it, we often take the stopper out and snake the drain.
P-Traps, Monthly Flushing, And Hair Control
Sometimes, the P-trap gets scum built up in it. About once a month, dump a 5-gallon bucket of water down the drain to push more water through and help flush buildup. Hair snares and drain covers help stop hair from going down the drain and collecting.
It’s important to do maintenance checks and routine cleanings to prevent buildup and drain blockages, especially in bathroom plumbing.Â
Pro Tip: Water is your friend. We want lots of water going down the drain to keep things flushed out and keep everything open.
Toilets And Showerheads That Stop Working Like They Used To
Old Toilets With Calcium Buildup
Sometimes you have an old toilet that does not flush the way it used to. If your toilet is around 20 years old, calcium can build up inside it, and it may not flush as strongly as it once did. In some cases, it is time to buy a new fixture.
Flow Restrictors And Drain Capacity
Showerheads nowadays are regulated to about 2 and 1/2 gallons a minute, so you do not always get a lot of water going down the drain. A new showerhead may include a flow restrictor in the back.
A lot of times, you can pull it out before you install the showerhead to get a better flow. If you do, make sure the drain can keep up, and clean the drain if it cannot.
Key Takeaway: Better shower flow can reveal a slow drain. If you change the flow, confirm the drain stays clear.
Need expert help with drain clogs, weak flow, or fixture replacement? Contact Dick Ray for a free consultation.
Low Pressure, Tiny Passageways, And Water Treatment
Problems And Faucet Pressure Loss
If a faucet has lost pressure over time, we check the easy things first. Sometimes the aerator is plugged up with debris on the end of the faucet, and cleaning it restores flow. If it is beyond that, and the faucet is older, it may need to be replaced.
Hard Water And Faucets That Plug Internally
Faucets today are often made with very tiny passageways for water, such as quarter-inch tubes inside the faucet. Those passageways can plug up, and if the faucet is already plugged internally, there may be no dependable way to fix it.
Water treatment for the whole house can help prevent repeated plugging by handling hard water particles before they reach the fixture.
If you are seeing slow drains, weak pressure, or aging fixtures, call Dick Ray so we can diagnose the cause and resolve your kitchen and bathroom plumbing problems. We have seen it all, and we can surely help with whatever your concern is.Â
