Ignite Plumbing & Heating

Slow Draining Sink, Bath, or Shower

Slow drains are almost always caused by a partial blockage — hair, grease, or soap in the trap. Full blockages or recurring issues in the soil stack need professional jetting.

Hair in shower or bath trap

Hair accumulates in the shower trap and builds into a mat that slows drainage significantly. Clear the trap cover and pull out the blockage.

Grease and soap buildup in kitchen sink trap

Kitchen sinks accumulate grease, food debris, and soap in the P-trap under the sink. Remove the trap (it unscrews) and clear it.

Blocked soil stack vent

The vertical soil stack has a vent at roof level. Leaves or debris can partially block it, causing slow drainage and gurgling across multiple drains.

Root ingress in external drain

Tree roots can penetrate older clay drainage pipes, causing partial blockages that progressively worsen. A CCTV survey confirms this.

Practical checks and next steps

A plunger and drain cleaner will clear most partial blockages in sinks, basins, and showers. Remove and clean the trap under the sink — it takes 5 minutes and most blockages are there. If drainage is slow in multiple rooms, or if there's gurgling from other drains, call a plumber.

  • Remove and clean the drain cover/trap — most kitchen and shower blockages are here.
  • Use a plunger with a firm seal over the drain opening.
  • Try a enzymatic drain cleaner (not caustic — safer for pipes).
  • Check if other drains in the house are also slow (indicates a stack or main drain issue).
  • If the drain fully blocks or smell is coming up from drains, call a plumber.
What causes slow drains in older Norwich houses?

Older properties (pre-1980) often have narrower clay drain runs that accumulate grease and debris faster than modern plastic drain systems. They benefit from professional jetting every few years.

Should I use chemical drain unblockers?

Use enzymatic products rather than caustic ones — caustic drain cleaners can damage older clay pipes and rubber seals. They also don't fully dissolve hair.

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