Top 5 Reasons Your Sink Has Stopped Working Properly

Is your kitchen or bathroom sink clogged and slowly draining water? Or perhaps your faucet is leaking nonstop? These frustrating issues can definitely make everyday home life messy and inconvenient. Sink problems range from minor clogs to more complex plumbing repairs. Fortunately, diagnosing the root causes behind common sink problems can help you resolve them quickly.

In this article, we’ll explore the top 5 reasons your sink may have stopped working properly:

• Clogged drains
• Leaky faucets
• Low water pressure
• Strange noises
• Pipe and valve damage

Read on to learn what might be behind your faulty sink and actionable tips to get it functioning properly again.

#1 – Clogged Drain

Let’s start with one of the most disruptive sink issues that also happens to be quite common – clogged drains. If you notice your sink is suddenly draining water slower than usual or not at all, a clogged drain is likely the culprit.

Causes of Clogged Drains

What causes sinks and drains to get clogged? Here are some of the most common causes of drain blockages:

• Buildup of hair, soap residue, and food scraps inside drain pipes
• Hard water mineral deposits accumulating over time
• Invasive tree roots growing into external drainage pipes
• Cracked drain pipes or improper pitch allowing debris to snag

Small bits of food, hair, and other gunk can cling to pipes over time, slowly forming larger obstructions. Issues like tree root invasions or structural damage also commonly hinder water flow. Without proper maintenance, these clogs only get worse until they completely block water drainage.

Symptoms of a Clog

How can you confirm it’s a clogged drain causing problems? Here are some telltale signs of a clog:

• Water draining exceptionally slowly after use
• Pooling water in the sink basin or tub
• Gurgling sounds from pipes as water attempts to drain
• Foul sewer gas odors from backed up water

If you notice these after using a sink, or water takes longer than usual to drain, start by inspecting drain pipes and setups. Clogs can occur in traps, overflow holes, or further down the main drain line. Proper diagnosis is key before attempting to remove obstructions.

Fixing Clogged Drains

Once a clogged drain is confirmed, here are potential DIY methods to clear it:

• Plunging – Use a heavy-duty sink plunger to forcibly dislodge clogs
• Baking soda and vinegar – This bubbly combo helps break up gunk
• Snaking – Send a threaded auger down pipes to hook debris
• Disassembling – Take apart pipes below sinks to manually remove clogs
• Professional help – For severe clogs, call a plumber to jet or clear drains

For simple hair, soap and food-based clogs, a plunger or chemical drain opener often does the trick. But for more extensive obstructions down the line, mechanical snaking or removing and cleaning pipes manually may be required. If all DIY options fail to improve drainage, don’t hesitate to call a professional plumber.

#2 – Leaky Faucet

A constantly dripping or leaking faucet is another disruption that allows water to go down the drain needlessly. This also leads to higher utility bills over time. A leaky sink indicates worn out internal parts that need replacement.

What Causes a Leaky Faucet

There are several underlying issues that can cause sink faucets to leak, such as:

• Worn out washers and o-rings allowing water to seep through
• Mineral deposits from hard water building up and preventing proper valve seating
• Excessively high water pressure straining components
• Improper faucet installation creating small gaps

The small rubber washers and o-rings inside faucets compress over time, eventually cracking and allowing water to leak out. Likewise, mineral scale, high pressure, and poor installation all introduce unwanted drips. Without fixing the specific problem, the leaking persists.

Stopping Faucet Leaks

Repairing a leaky faucet involves:

• Identifying leak locations and drip types
• Replacing worn washers, o-rings, valve seats, and springs
• Scrubbing away mineral buildup
• Having water pressure adjusted
• Calling a plumber for intricate cartridge faucets

For straightforward compression faucets, DIY washer and o-ring replacement can instantly fix leaks. Use plumbing grease to improve part lifespan too. But for newer cartridge style models, seek professional assistance to mend inner components.

#3 – Low Water Pressure

Inadequate water flow rate and pressure from faucets can also make sink usage very inconvenient. Low pressure conditions indicate localized restrictions or facility-wide supply issues.

Diagnosing Issues Behind Low Water Pressure

Start assessment by checking the following areas:

• Aerators and shut-off valves under sinks
• Visible sections of household water supply lines
• Main property water inlet with pressure gauge
• Pressure fluctuations during specific times

Take note of patterns and where pressure drops occur. For example, do all fixtures exhibit low flow or just sinks? Are pressure loss events random or predictable? Tip-offs like this help narrow down the problem.

Resolving Low Water Pressure Problems

To restore adequate sink water pressure, try:

• Cleaning out aerator screens and servicing shut-off valves
• Checking supply lines for kinks, leaks or flow-blocking debris
• Replacing worn out faucet washers, o-rings and seats
• Upgrading household plumbing size for better pressure and volume
• Adding a booster pump system just for sinks exhibiting issues

For sinks with isolated pressure problems, work backwards from faucets themselves to supply lines to check for specific faults. Broad pressure issues may require facility piping upgrades or water district notifications if distribution main breaks are suspected.

#4 – Strange Noises

While not technically impeding function, strange gurgling, clanking or loud grinding noises from sink drains can signify larger blockages or broken parts.

Determining What’s Causing Strange Noises

Common culprits behind drain noises include:

• Loose pipes causing water hammer or rattling
• Malfunctioning garbage disposal units
• Damaged or ill-fitted ball cock or fill valves
• Mineral deposits impeding check valve operation

As flowing water encounters loose sections or parts under strain, this introduces noises like squeaking pipes or banging water hammer. Listening closely helps determine where sound origins might be.

Addressing Noisy Plumbing

To eliminate drain noises:

• Inspect junction points along pipes for looseness
• Replace worn-out garbage disposals making grinding noises
• Upgrade aging valves and supply components
• Have professionals diagnose severe, hidden issues

DIY repairs like tightening pipe joints or replacing valve components may alleviate problems. But if complex mechanical issues cause persistent noises, seeking professional assistance for thorough inspection is wise.

#5 – Drain Pipe Damage

For older homes, cracks or holes in drain pipes themselves prompt debris-catching obstructions and water leaks into surrounding soil. Pipe corrosion is often the issue.

Signs of Drain Pipe Damage

Note these red flags indicating drain pipe damage:

• Visible cracks or water leaks in pipe joints or walls
• Persistent clogs resurfacing after attempts to clear
• Very slow water drainage after sink use
• Loud gurgling or swishing noises in walls
• Bad sewer gas odors from pipe gaps

If pipes appear intact yet symptoms signal unseen issues, extensive inspection with drain cameras should clarify where problems exist. Thorough diagnosis guides appropriate corrections.

Repairing Damaged Drain Pipes

Here are approaches for fixing damaged drain lines:

• Applying epoxy patches to small leaks
• Replacing sections of severely corroded piping
• Relining entire runs with seamless epoxy resins
• Performing pipe burst replacement from outside walls
• Complete pipe removal and installation of new drains

Pinhole leaks sometimes react well to applied drain patch compounds. But larger gaps or systemic corrosion warrant section replacement or complete drain line renewal. These extensive repairs often require professionals.

Preventing Future Sink Problems

While many sink problems stem from age and wear issues, you can take proactive measures to minimize problems.

• Regularly flush drains to keep water flowing freely
• Install mesh drain catchers to trap hair and food scraps
• Avoid pouring fats or harsh chemicals down drains
• Check fixtures routinely for leaks or other signs of damage
• Replace washers, o-rings and other worn parts regularly

Vigilant cleaning efforts coupled with preventative maintenance greatly reduce the chances of nuisance clogs or leaks occurring. When problems inevitably do surface anyway, early detection makes simpler fixes more likely.

When to Call a Professional Plumber

For complex repairs requiring large equipment or in-wall access, rely on professional assistance. Jobs like:

• Assessing deteriorated drain pipes behind walls or floors
• Locating tiny slab foundation plumbing leaks
• Hydro jetting severely clogged drains
• Replacing valves, pumps and fixtures in tricky spots

Professionals have the tools and know-how to diagnose issues within construction voids and remedy out-of-reach problems. Don’t attempt risky electrical repairs either. Calling pros for major work also typically carries added workmanship guarantees too.

If your kitchen or bathroom sink exhibits common problems like slow drainage, constant dripping, low pressure or strange noises, targeted fixes can often resolve such issues. In many cases, taking DIY troubleshooting steps saves money over calling out a plumber right away.

As outlined above, there are typically five main reasons residential sinks stop functioning properly – clogged drains, leaky faucets, insufficient water flow rates, odd clanking sounds and general pipe deterioration. Taking time to properly diagnose triggers through process of elimination helps apply the right solutions.

Don’t let seemingly minor sink issues linger too long. Small leaks lead to mold and rot over time. Brief drainage clogs quickly evolve into completely blocked pipes once heavier use sends stacks of stuck-on gunk down. Address problems early and protect property investments as well as daily wellbeing and convenience.