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Slow Drain Check
Choose which drain it is and what it does, and see the likely causes in the order to check them.
Find the likely cause
Choose which drain and what it does. The tool lists the likely causes in the order to check them and tells you when to stop and call someone. It does not diagnose your plumbing. Nothing you choose is saved or sent.
Example
If the bathroom drain is slow, only that one has the problem and there is a sewer smell, the tool points to debris at the drain opening, with two checks, and lists what to do yourself and what not to do. Press “Load an example” to try it.
How it works
One slow drain usually means debris at its opening. A smell with good drainage, especially from a drain that has not been used, points to a dried water seal in the trap. Gurgling points to venting. Several drains together, or water rising from another drain, point to a shared pipe.
If water or sewage comes up from another drain, or spills onto the floor, the tool tells you to stop using the drain and contact someone before anything else. It never suggests taking the pipe or trap apart.
Frequently asked questions
Why does an unused drain smell?
The trap normally holds water that blocks sewer air. If the drain is not used for a while, that water can dry out. Running plenty of water down it refills the trap.
Can I use drain cleaner?
Do not mix cleaners or bleach, and do not pour them in one after another. If the blockage is deep, leave it to a plumber or the building manager.
When should I stop using the drain?
When water or sewage comes up from another drain, or water spills onto the floor. It can reach the floor below. Contact the building manager first.
More tools
Sources and last updated
- No official standard for diagnosing a drain problem was found, so the causes and their order are rules of this site for deciding what to check first. It is not a plumbing diagnosis.
- What you enter stays in your browser and is not sent anywhere.
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