Field guide for Burlington owners
Why Drains Slow Down
A drain rarely clogs all at once. It narrows over weeks or months, and the pattern of slow fixtures tells you what is going on.
- Steps you can safely take yourself
- What it looks like in Burlington houses
- When to put the wrench down and phone us
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The short answer
One slow fixture is a local clog. Several slow fixtures point to the main line or venting.
Key point
A drain rarely clogs all at once.
Working through it
- Bathroom sinks and tubs: hair and soap. Pull the stopper and clean it.
- Kitchen sinks: grease and food. Avoid pouring fat down the drain.
- Floor drains: lint and silt.
- Multiple fixtures: main line clog or roots.
- Gurgling: venting problems.
Have this ready when you call
- Which fixture, which floor
- Whether the main is closed
- Rough age of the house and heater
- Any past floods or drain work
Time to bring in the trade
Phone us once a plunger gives up, clogs repeat, or more than one fixture is slow. See drain cleaning and kitchen drain cleaning.
First move in a leak
Close the main shut-off, open a low tap to drain pressure, then call (365) 464-5184.
Reading the symptoms
| What you notice | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Bathroom sink slow, nothing else | Hair and soap on the pop-up stopper |
| Tub slow, water stands while showering | Hair mat below the drain cover |
| Kitchen sink slow, dishwasher backs up | Grease in the kitchen branch line |
| Toilet gurgles when the tub drains | Partial blockage or vent problem |
| Basement floor drain backs up when upstairs fixtures drain | Main line blocked, often roots |
| Every fixture slow at once | Main line, or a blocked vent on the roof |
What helps
- Use a hair catcher over every tub and shower drain.
- Scrape and blot frying pans into the green bin before they reach the sink.
- Run plenty of hot water after using the garburator.
- Keep wipes, cotton swabs and floss out of toilets.
Venting problems are less common but real. A bird's nest or ice in a roof vent can make drains gurgle and run slowly; a plumber can check from the roof or via the cleanout.
Burlington specifics
Older homes with clay laterals see root intrusion. Hard water leaves scale in pipes. See what not to flush.
Questions we hear
Are drain cleaners safe?
Chemical cleaners can damage pipes and are dangerous. Mechanical methods are safer.
Why does my drain smell?
Food, hair or a dry trap can cause odours.