Slow draining sink, tub, or shower

Common Causes

1. Hair and soap scum buildup in bathroom drains
2. Grease accumulation in kitchen drain lines
3. Improper disposal of wipes, dental floss, or fibrous food waste
4. Hard water scale narrowing pipe diameter (long-term buildup)
5. Tree root intrusion in older clay tile sewer lines

What You Can Try First

1. Remove and clean the drain stopper or strainer — hair and soap scum are the #1 cause in bathroom drains
2. Use a plastic hair-pulling tool ($3 drain snake) to pull the clog out from just below the stopper
3. For kitchen drains, remove the P-trap under the sink (put a bucket underneath), clean it out, and reinstall
4. Try boiling water down the drain — can dissolve grease clogs in kitchen sinks
5. Enzymatic drain cleaner (not chemical lye-based) is safe for pipes and effective for organic buildup
6. Avoid chemical drain cleaners (Drano, Liquid-Plumr) in homes with older pipes — they accelerate galvanized corrosion

When to Call a Pro

• Multiple drains are slow simultaneously (suggests a main line issue, not individual fixture clogs)
• Gurgling from one drain when you use another fixture
• DIY methods have not cleared the blockage
• You can see or smell sewage