Slow draining sink

[the2ofus]

Yes I know that it's been covered many times before, but no one has yet answered my particular problem. I have an Autotrail Imala and the kitchen area sink drains very slowly. I've tried all the usual recommendations - cola, pipe unblocker stuff from supermarkets, bleach, soda all without success. The puzzling thing is when using a plunger or an ordinary garden hosepipe on mains pressure it runs well for a few minutes then mysteriously slows down to a miserable dribble. Sometimes with hot water running through it improves slightly but slows up again. What causes it to run freely then just slow up? I await an avalanche of suggestions.

 

[Old Gibber]

Have you checked the vent pipe from the waste tank. These can get blocked.

 

[Off da Grid]

When the tanks empty does it still run slow?
Maybe leave the tank drain open and try it.

 

[Podney]

You‘ve probably got a kink in your waterworks (ooeerrr missus).

When you use a plunger the pipe is forced to expand a little,thus increasing the flow rate.

When you use very hot water the pipe becomes more flexible and opens up more,so the water moves faster.

The only solution is to dismantle and rework the pipes………..or not to bother,which I recommend…are you really in that much of a hurry??!!

 

[BouncyBoatFolk]

Floating blockage? Have you checked the trap for obstructions?

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[Wildbill]

Wet wet vack give it a good suking out
Bill

 

[Devon Sue]

We have found that our Adria kitchen sink drains a lot slower if we are a bit nose down, doesn't take much, hardly worth getting the levellers out but it does make a difference on the level

 

[Ukbandit]

Yes I know that it's been covered many times before, but no one has yet answered my particular problem. I have an Autotrail Imala and the kitchen area sink drains very slowly. I've tried all the usual recommendations - cola, pipe unblocker stuff from supermarkets, bleach, soda all without success. The puzzling thing is when using a plunger or an ordinary garden hosepipe on mains pressure it runs well for a few minutes then mysteriously slows down to a miserable dribble. Sometimes with hot water running through it improves slightly but slows up again. What causes it to run freely then just slow up? I await an avalanche of suggestions.

Mine was like that for 2 years until it completely blocked. Like you I tried everything to unblock it and nothing worked. Eventually I put a hose over the hole with a garden spray on the end and put the spray on the fast jet, it immediately unblocked it and when the water came out of the waste tank, there was a big lump of sealer came out which must have been wedged in the sink pipe since new. It then ran as quick as all the others from then. Crap that had been left in the drain pipe from new.

 

[tuckerstravel]

My kitchen sink had the same problem, and this is how I solved it. I used a plastic 28mm rigid Y push in fitting, this was fitted to the convoluted waste pipe. To the upward ‘branch’ I used rigid 28mm plastic push in pipe up to the underside of the worktop. This allowed the waste pipe to breath.
You will need rubber sleeves and reducing fittings to convert from your convoluted waste if like mine, this is what you have, to prevent leaks.
Also to prevent smells I’ve fitted smell traps to all wastes before the waste tank.
All takes time a little research for fittings and a faff removing panels etc etc etc, but no more smells! Worked for us.

 

[the2ofus]

Floating blockage? Have you checked the trap for obstructions?

No I haven't checked the trap as it is located in a very narrow cupboard. I'm reluctant to interfere with it just in case I disturb any seals and cause a leak. Incidentally, is that a small removeable 'bowl' on the underside of the trap that's meant to catch debris, and if so, is it easy to remove?

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[tuckerstravel]

Just twist and pull, no problem

 

[Outdoors Dad]

My kitchen sink had the same problem, and this is how I solved it. I used a plastic 28mm rigid Y push in fitting, this was fitted to the convoluted waste pipe. To the upward ‘branch’ I used rigid 28mm plastic push in pipe up to the underside of the worktop. This allowed the waste pipe to breath.
You will need rubber sleeves and reducing fittings to convert from your convoluted waste if like mine, this is what you have, to prevent leaks.
Also to prevent smells I’ve fitted smell traps to all wastes before the waste tank.
All takes time a little research for fittings and a faff removing panels etc etc etc, but no more smells! Worked for us.

Yeah I would say you have it right the water won't flow correctly because of vacuum, if you allow the waste system to breath it will release the water more efficiently and without gurgle. Like in your house a quality plumber would vent your waste pipes (if doable) and fit a durgo valve to prevent smells. I'm thinking of doing same in my van but can't see how I could get vent pipe higher than plug.

 

[Ginster]

Mine drains slowly when the van isn't level

 

[tuckerstravel]

I just made sure the rigid vent reached just below kitchen worktop. I suppose it needs to be at least the height of the sink bowl. Did mine during the years we lost using van, works no problems.
As motor homers we spend much time improving things that manufacturers can’t do because of being competitive with price. And it saves a lot of ear ache from my ‘boss’

 

[laurieash]

My autotrail needs to be nose down.

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[KevinTuplin]

In my Swift I had an issue with the kitchen sink draining very slowly. Upon investigation I found that where the flexi pipe connected to the rigid pipe a reducer had been used which reduced the flow down to a trickle. When replaced with a straight connector the issue was resolved.

 

[Sunseeker 115]

My autotrail needs to be nose down.

Same here with my Elddis. I use a washing up bowl and pour the water directly down the plug hole. If I forget and empty the whole bowl into the sink I have to get the plunger out.

 

[pelican]

My autotrail needs to be nose down.

Ours needs to be nose very slightly up.
The drain is nearest front of van and the drain pipe then runs level rearward over the top of the fridge before dropping down.