A slowly draining sink or shower looks like a minor inconvenience—water just takes a bit longer to disappear, right? But it’s often an early warning sign you shouldn’t ignore.
Most of the time, slow drainage means something is building up inside the pipe: hair, grease, soap scum, food particles, or a mix of all of them. If you wait, that partial blockage can become a full one, usually at the worst possible time.
In kitchens, oil and food bits cling to pipe walls. Pouring very hot water occasionally can help a little, but it’s not a magic fix if the buildup is heavy. In bathrooms, hair catchers over drains can prevent half the problem before it starts.
If multiple sinks or bathrooms start draining slowly at the same time, it might be more than just your individual trap. In apartments, it could mean a problem in a shared vertical line, which you should report to building maintenance.
Early action—cleaning traps, using mild approved drain cleaners, or calling a plumber for a proper clearing—costs much less than emergency visits and repair of overflowing messes.