Do not ignore water slowness in your bathroom, sink or bathtub. You can avoid bigger plumbing problems by addressing the problem right away.

First, you need to determine if the problem is localized or widespread. If your main sewer drain line is causing slow draining of other sinks or tubs, you need to call a local Glendale, CA Plumber right away.

If the problem is in one area, it is most likely that the buildup is in the pipe. You can usually resolve the situation by taking a few simple steps.

  1. Take out the drain stopper and see if it can be removed to determine the problem.
  2. If you see a clog, your hand, pliers, and a wire coat hooker can be used to remove it.
  3. You can run hot water down your drain if the clog is not accessible. This will dissolve any debris blocking your pipes. If hot water is not enough, you can try boiling water. However, only if your pipes have metal construction and not PVC.
  4. A plunger is needed to drain the tub and sink. Standard cup-style plungers are dark red in color with a flat, slightly wide rim. They come in a variety of sizes. These are the best for sinks while larger plungers can be used in bath tubs or showers. Ball and flange plugs are designed for toilets only and won’t work well in a shower, tub or sink.
  5. You can seal the overflow outlet with a washcloth, or waterproof tape.
  6. You should just fill the tub or sink with enough water to cover the top.
  7. Place the plunger in front of the drain, and pump it several more times to create a vacuum. The suction can sometimes loosen the clog, allowing it to flow freely down your drain. Some clogs, such as hair, can be pulled out of the drain.
  8. If the plunger doesn’t clear the clog you can try a plumbers snake (available in most hardware stores) to remove the clog.