How to Clean a Slow Drain

How to Clean a Slow Drain

A slow drain is often an early sign that grease, food residue, soap residue or other organic material is accumulating inside the drainpipe. Addressing the buildup before the drain becomes completely blocked can help keep water flowing and reduce the likelihood of a more serious clog.

For drains affected by organic buildup, an enzyme drain cleaner can be a useful way to clean and maintain the drain without relying on harsh chemical drain openers.

Why Is My Drain Draining Slowly?

Drainpipes collect small amounts of residue during everyday use.

In a kitchen sink, common sources of buildup include:

• Grease and fats

• Cooking oils

• Food particles

• Other organic residue

Bathroom sinks, showers and tubs may accumulate:

• Soap residue

• Body oils

• Hair

• Other organic material

As this material collects along the inside walls of the pipe, the opening available for water to pass through can gradually become smaller. Eventually, you may notice that the sink, shower or tub takes longer to drain.

How to Clean a Slow Drain

The best method depends on what's causing the problem.

Start by removing any visible debris around the drain opening. In bathroom drains, for example, accumulated hair can sometimes create a physical obstruction that should be removed mechanically.

If the drain is still flowing but appears to have organic buildup, an enzyme drain cleaner may help.

1. Remove Visible Debris

Check the drain opening and remove accessible hair, food particles or other material.

A drain screen or stopper may also need cleaning.

2. Use an Enzyme Drain Cleaner

Apply an enzyme-based drain cleaner according to the product directions.

Enzymes help break down organic material that has accumulated inside the drain and along the pipe walls.

3. Allow Enough Contact Time

Enzyme drain cleaners generally work more gradually than traditional chemical drain openers.

Don't immediately rinse the product away unless the directions tell you to do so. Allowing the recommended contact time gives the enzymes an opportunity to work on the organic material inside the drain.

4. Repeat as Directed

A drain with significant buildup may benefit from repeated treatment according to the product directions.

Once the drain is flowing normally, regular maintenance can help manage future accumulation.

Can Enzyme Drain Cleaner Unclog a Slow Drain?

An enzyme drain cleaner can help when organic buildup is contributing to the slow drainage.

However, it won't solve every type of clog.

For example, a drain may be blocked by:

• A large accumulation of hair

• A foreign object

• A severe physical obstruction

• Damaged plumbing

• Tree roots

• Problems farther inside the plumbing system

These problems may require a plunger, drain snake or professional plumber.

If a drain is completely blocked and water isn't moving at all, don't assume that adding more drain-cleaning product will solve the problem.

How Do You Clean a Slow Kitchen Drain?

Kitchen drains are particularly susceptible to grease, oils and food residue.

Even when grease enters the drain as a liquid, it can cool and adhere to the inside of the plumbing. Food residue can then become trapped in this material, gradually creating additional buildup.

An enzyme drain maintainer can help break down organic residue and is particularly useful as part of a regular kitchen-drain maintenance routine.

Avoid intentionally pouring cooking grease or fats down the drain.

How Do You Clean a Slow Bathroom Drain?

Bathroom sinks, tubs and showers have different challenges.

Hair can create a physical obstruction, while soap residue, body oils and organic material can accumulate around it.

Remove accessible hair first. An enzyme drain cleaner can then be used according to its directions to help address organic residue inside the drain.

How Can You Prevent a Slow Drain From Coming Back?

Once you've cleaned the drain, prevention is much easier than waiting for another major buildup.

Good drain habits include:

• Keep grease and cooking fats out of kitchen drains.

• Use drain screens to catch food and hair.

• Remove visible debris regularly.

• Don't flush foreign objects down drains.

• Clean garbage disposals as appropriate.

• Use an enzyme drain maintainer regularly according to its directions.

The goal is to manage organic buildup before it becomes thick enough to interfere with drainage.

Natural Armor Drain Maintainer with Enzymes

Natural Armor Drain Maintainer with Enzymes is an all-natural enzyme-based formula designed for ongoing drain and septic maintenance.

When used according to the product directions, it helps:

• Clean drains

• Deodorize drains

• Neutralize odors

• Help prevent clogs

• Maintain drains and septic systems

If your drain is still flowing but gradually becoming slower, addressing organic buildup early can help prevent a minor drain problem from becoming a much larger one.

Regular use of Natural Armor Drain Maintainer with Enzymes makes ongoing drain care simple and convenient.

Shop Natural Armor Drain Maintainer with Enzymes →