One day, you notice the water in the sink isn’t draining as quickly. You hope that maybe the issue will go away, that it isn’t a clogged sink, but as days pass it continues to drain increasingly slower.

There are many issues that can cause a slow draining sink. By familiarizing yourself with some of the most common causes, you may be able to keep your sink draining at its optimal level for longer periods of time. We’ve provided you with the top 5 reasons for a slow draining sink below.

1. The sink may be clogged by a collection of small materials. It’s easy to think that if an item makes it down the drain, it’s safe and will drain without an issue. A small piece of food here, the tiniest amount of grease, a few small hairs, that won’t clog my sink, right? Wrong. Even small materials that make it down the drain can become lodged in your pipes and create a kind of nest, catching more and more small particles as they’re washed down.
2. A large object may clog the sink. This scenario is very similar to the first; however, the item that was washed down the sink was probably large enough for you to second-guess your decision to do so. If you’re ever wondering, “Should I wash this down the sink,” don’t do it and save yourself a call to the plumber.
3. Believe it or not, the slope of your pipes may cause a slow draining sink. When the slope of the pipes is too steep, it can cause the water to drain too quickly, leaving waste behind. That waste will eventually build up and result in a slow draining or clogged sink.
4. Your pipes may be deteriorating from within. This happens often in older homes or homes where the pipes have not been properly maintained. It is an inevitable situation, which will end with shiny, new pipes for your sink.
5. A clogged sink can result from an issue with your main drain line. We’ve seen clogged sinks due to outdoor issues such as roots impeding drainage.

A slow draining or clogged sink can be caused by a multitude of issues, some avoidable and some not. When your sink does become clogged, it’s best to reach out to the professionals to find the underlying issue.

You may have seen “flushable wipes” popping up more in stores. A wipe that can just be flushed away and comes in varieties for both babies and adults is a convenient concept. While these wipes claim to be “flushable,” you may want to hold off on flushing them, unless you love calling your plumber in for a clogged toilet. With sales of these wipes soaring to $6 billion a year or more, it is important for consumers to be aware that these wipes may not be as safe as they appear.

Irate customers have been suing the companies manufacturing these wipes since they came onto the market. Consumers claim their toilets clogged after flushing the wipes, even though they were simply following product instructions.

Regardless of the lawsuits, many manufacturers of the wipes continue to claim their product is flushable and that tests continue to prove so. However, independent testers have found otherwise. In a report issued by California’s Orange County Sanitation District, staff noted that “field observations have found [flushable wipes] to be a cause of back-ups within the sewer system leading to sanitary sewer overflows, clogs at lift stations, and disruption within the treatment plant.”

A video posted by manufacturers depicted the wipes disintegrating after 35 minutes. However, the same report mentioned above noted the wipes were completely intact and recognizable after as long as 24 hours.

In a lawsuit filed by Dr. Joseph Kurtz, the city of New York City confirms that the wipes are wreaking havoc on the city’s sewer system. They also claim the wipes do not break down as the manufacturers advertise. The city ends up spending about $18 million a year collecting and discarding debris caught in the machinery at their 14 wastewater-treatment plants. While the wipes do not account for all the debris, the city insists there has been an increase that directly correlates with the sales of the wipes.

It is important to note that while the products claim to be “flushable,” the term is not currently legally defined nor does the Federal Trade Commission regulate it. The item can technically be flushed down the toilet; however, there’s no telling what will happen after doing so. Until the government begins regulating these products more closely, it’s probably best to steer clear of flushing any wipes. That is, unless you want to give your friendly plumbers a call for a clogged toilet.