diff --git a/sleekxmpp/clientxmpp.py b/sleekxmpp/clientxmpp.py
index a7b2435..02d4764 100644
--- a/sleekxmpp/clientxmpp.py
+++ b/sleekxmpp/clientxmpp.py
@@ -225,15 +225,8 @@ class ClientXMPP(BaseXMPP):
                             Will be executed when the roster is received.
                             Implies block=False.
         """
-        iq = self.Iq()
-        iq['type'] = 'set'
-        iq['roster']['items'] = {jid: {'name': name,
-                                       'subscription': subscription,
-                                       'groups': groups}}
-        response = iq.send(block, timeout, callback)
-        if response in [False, None] or not isinstance(response, Iq):
-            return response
-        return response['type'] == 'result'
+        return self.client_roster.updtae(jid, name, subscription, groups,
+                                         block, timeout, callback)
 
     def del_roster_item(self, jid):
         """
@@ -243,7 +236,7 @@ class ClientXMPP(BaseXMPP):
         Arguments:
             jid -- The JID of the item to remove.
         """
-        return self.update_roster(jid, subscription='remove')
+        return self.client_roster.remove(jid)
 
     def get_roster(self, block=True, timeout=None, callback=None):
         """
diff --git a/sleekxmpp/roster/single.py b/sleekxmpp/roster/single.py
index 6833563..a8bb8d3 100644
--- a/sleekxmpp/roster/single.py
+++ b/sleekxmpp/roster/single.py
@@ -171,9 +171,10 @@ class RosterNode(object):
         """
         self[jid].remove()
         if not self.xmpp.is_component:
-            self.update(jid, subscription='remove')
+            return self.update(jid, subscription='remove')
 
-    def update(self, jid, name=None, subscription=None, groups=[]):
+    def update(self, jid, name=None, subscription=None, groups=[],
+                     block=True, timeout=None, callback=None):
         """
         Update a JID's subscription information.
 
@@ -183,6 +184,15 @@ class RosterNode(object):
             subscription -- The subscription state. May be one of: 'to',
                             'from', 'both', 'none', or 'remove'.
             groups       -- A list of group names.
+            block        -- Specify if the roster request will block
+                            until a response is received, or a timeout
+                            occurs. Defaults to True.
+            timeout      -- The length of time (in seconds) to wait
+                            for a response before continuing if blocking
+                            is used. Defaults to self.response_timeout.
+            callback     -- Optional reference to a stream handler function.
+                            Will be executed when the roster is received.
+                            Implies block=False.
         """
         self[jid]['name'] = name
         self[jid]['groups'] = group
@@ -194,7 +204,9 @@ class RosterNode(object):
             iq['roster']['items'] = {jid: {'name': name,
                                            'subscription': subscription,
                                            'groups': groups}}
-            response = iq.send()
+            response = iq.send(block, timeout, callback)
+            if response in [False, None] or isinstance(response, Iq):
+                return response
             return response and response['type'] == 'result'
 
     def presence(self, jid, resource=None):