The Slow Drain—It’s Not Clogged, But Don’t Ignore It!

The drain clog is one of the most common plumbing woes people run into. Everybody has dealt with a clogged drain and some point. Plungers can sometimes fix them, but if that doesn’t work, the next step isn’t to use chemical drain cleaners but to call for professional drain cleaning services in Orange County, CA. (Drain cleaners can cause damage to plumbing and leave behind most of the clog, making it likely to come back again.)

But what about the drain that isn’t clogged, it’s just gotten … a bit sluggish about draining out water? The slow drain is a plumbing problem that a surprising amount of people ignore. They may try a plunger,  but if that doesn’t clear the drain, they’ll try to work around it and hope maybe it’ll get better.

Please don’t leave slow drains alone! They are not going to get better, and they’ll likely get worse until you do have a complete clog. If you’re standing ankle-deep in water at the end of your shower, or watching the sink water slowly subside after you’ve washed your hands, it’s time to call the plumbers. 

Slow Drains Cause Problems on Their Own

The main concern with a slow drain is that it will turn into a clog. Something is obstructing the drain, and obstructions get larger. But a slow drain creates other troubles:

• Staining: Sitting water can create stains on porcelain and other surfaces. 
• Bacteria: The water in a sink or shower with a slow drain is likely dirty water, filled with dirt, soap scum, and more that you want to get rid of. This makes the water a breeding ground for bacteria and unpleasant odors.
• Unattractive: Do you really want to stare down at a sink of dirty water when you’re waking up in the morning or getting ready for bed?

Multiple Slow Drains Are Major Warning Signs

If you notice that more than one drain in your house has started to drain slowly, you might have a much larger problem on your hands than build-up inside a p-trap. Multiple slow drains can indicate sewer line problems. Something deeper down in the wastewater system is causing a backup. You might also hear gurgling coming from the drains or smell foul sewer odors from them. 

Call for experts right away in this situation. Your sewer line may have a clog, tree root infiltration, or a breach, and only experienced professionals can fix this problem. If you delay, you may end up with sewage seeping into your house and a complete loss of use of all the drains. 

Professionals to the Rescue

If you have a standard slow drain, the best remedy once you’ve tried the plunger is to call our team for professional drain cleaning. Our drain cleaning not only removes the obstructions causing the slow draining, it fully cleans the inside of the drainpipes, making it difficult for clogging to start up again. Professional drain cleaning gives your drains a fresh start!

Saddleback Plumbing Heating & Air has served Orange County since 1981. Call us today for drain cleaning and other plumbing services.