Sink water emptying very slowly

[GBon]

Good morning to all, while we were away I noticed that the water from the sink was running out very slowly. This happened for the 5 days we were away and had nothing to do with a full grey water tank, as the tank was emptied before it was full. I always scrape the plates and make sure that no bits of food or excess grease goes down the drain. I suggested putting bicarb down the plug hole followed by boiling water, but Geoff was not sure if that is a good idea. Any suggestions on what I can use to try and getting the water running out a bit faster. Your help will be much appreciated. Thanks and have a nice day.

 

[Linda and Steph]

Swirl your finger around to create a small vortex. Unlike a domestic sink, there's no overflow hole so the air can't escape to permit a fast flow of water, the whirlpool allows this.

 

[Puddleduck]

Our kitchen sink plug is flexible and I use it like a mini plunger to get rid of air in the pipe. The palm of your hand over the plug hole would do the same job.

The waste pipe from our sink has a very shallow descent which means we don't get a rapid drain and air traps are common.

 

[RubyOptics]

Swirl your finger around to create a small vortex. Unlike a domestic sink, there's no overflow hole so the air can't escape to permit a fast flow of water, the whirlpool allows this.

or just stick a drinking straw into the middle hole. Does the same thing

 

[Potty]

Check the trap doesn’t need cleaning. I use soda crystals dissolved in boiling water and allowed to cool slightly, boiling water is not good for some plastic plumbino. Also a plastic strainer in the plug hole to catch any bits. We also use one in the shower to catch hairs.

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[Burgo]

Half full sink and place your hand palm down over the plug hole. Put a wet cloth over any overflow holes then push down quite firmly and swiftly (as if giving cpr). Works a treat if you havent got a plunger handy.

 

[Jonny1953]

Swirl your finger around to create a small vortex. Unlike a domestic sink, there's no overflow hole so the air can't escape to permit a fast flow of water, the whirlpool allows this.

Don't forget to swirl your finger clockwise as we are in the Northern Hemisphere or it wont work

 

[bolicam]

I was lead to believe that the sink drained slowly because it was being filtered before going into grey water tank.

 

[Eggs]

I was lead to believe that the sink drained slowly because it was being filtered before going into grey water tank.

Where is the filter located and how do you get at it to clean it when it's full of debris?

 

[GROMIT69]

We found that the more level the van is the better and quicker it runs away , how level were you ??

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[Figaro]

I was lead to believe that the sink drained slowly because it was being filtered before going into grey water tank.

Never heard of that before, any filter would need to be accessible and easily cleaned. Hymer do something similar with the drain plug having a straining action built in to the plug, others may do something along those lines but never heard of an actual filter.
Being slightly out of level can have a dramatic effect on draining efficiency.

 

[Stoosal]

You could check if there is a pipe coming out of waste tank to allow the air out as the waste water goes in. Usually it goes to a height above sink level. On mine the pipe was bent around the floor/back wall so the air was restricted in getting out of the tank. Drainage improved once I had removed the kink. Still not great but it was better.

 

[Andacami]

The same happens here, I've used a mini plunger on the occasion it seems slower than normal which works well. Also, being level does seem to help. The shower and bathroom sink don't seem to suffer as much but I think that's because they are very much closer to the grey tank so have a shorter route, plus the shower has two plugs and both sink and shower will use each other's plugs for air I guess.

The mini plunger also worked well for pulling up gunge from the shower which I was able to scoop up.

 

[bolicam]

Where is the filter located and how do you get at it to clean it when it's full of debris?

To be honest it has never bothered me enough to investigate further but I'd guess it will be an under the sink trap arrangement??

 

[Snoopy]

Half full sink and place your hand palm down over the plug hole. Put a wet cloth over any overflow holes then push down quite firmly and swiftly (as if giving cpr). Works a treat if you havent got a plunger handy.

This was something we found few weeks
Back when at the Forest of Dean, did as Burgo suggested, but we were also on a,slight hill, so that can make a difference being flat.

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[GBon]

We haven’t had the motorhome long and don’t know what was allowed down the sink before we got it. It was perfectly level using a spirit level, my husband is a fanatic when it comes to levelling lmao. I will try to get a mini plunger, I was pushing the scouring sponge up and down in the plug hole to try and get the water moving quicker which did seem to help a bit, but I think a plunger would be better. Thanks for all the advice, have a good evening.

 

[Stanbrook]

We use a ROTHENBERGER PIPE & DRAIN CLEANING COIL 1.32M (65766)

View all Q&A
Pipe and drain cleaning coil with brush for easy cleaning of kitchen sinks, wash basins or bath tubs.

Suitable for ½-2" Pipes
1.32m Stainless Steel Cable
Brush End
Fits Most Wastes
Coated Cable for Longer Life

Happy days

 

[kontikimark]

Hello Gebon
I save the center tube of the kitchen towel, place it over the of plug hole and blow down it.

 

[TheBig1]

"nobody" ever puts grease or debris down the sink. So it is never a surprise that eventually you need to unblock the waste pipe. Some I have worked on with older vans, It was easier to take out the convoluted pipe and put a rod through then a hose to clean them. An awful system with thin wall plastic pipe and push fit joints. Never a good idea to pour boiling water down as the softened pipes pop apart spilling hoy filthy water in the back of cupboards

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

As long as it all goes down ,what's the problem?

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[BillyKontiki]

The problem is poor plumbing.
Usually a flexible pipe from under the sink to the tank, runs by the shortest route possible and if it even runs level at some point this creates the problem as said previously air gets trapped.
a wee plunger out the pound shop for 99p will solve the problem if it annoys you.
Use it when the sink has water in it.

 

[mitzimad]

I've cleaned all our pipework apart from a metre that runs almost flat under the toilet and its still slow occasionaly

 

[Gaston aires]

Half full sink and place your hand palm down over the plug hole. Put a wet cloth over any overflow holes then push down quite firmly and swiftly (as if giving cpr). Works a treat if you havent got a plunger handy.

Don’t forget to sing ah ah ah ah “staying alive”