How to Unclog a Bathroom Sink
Noticing that your bathroom sink isn’t draining as quickly as it used to in the middle of brushing your teeth isn’t the most ideal way to start the day. But, the good news is that a clogged bathroom sink is an extremely common problem that can likely be fixed with an at-home remedy. If that doesn’t work, a speedy and professional Pristine Plumber is always just a call away to help you get that sink draining smoothly in no time!
Reasons for a clogged bathroom sink
There are four main reasons why your bathroom sink can become clogged. Narrowing down a reason for why your sink is clogged will help you figure out how to get it unclogged. Here are the main culprits of a clogged bathroom sink:
- Hair
- When hair gets caught in your drain, it often gets tangled and stuck to the walls of the pipe. This causes everything else to get caught in the buildup, and ultimately produces a clogged sink. In order to fix this problem, you’ll need a zip-it drain cleaning tool which can pull out the clump of hair. You could also use long tweezers to reach into the drain and pull out the hair blockage.
- Soap Scum
- When chemicals in soap react with calcium and magnesium ions present in the tap water, it forms a chalky substance that clings to the sides of the pipe walls and builds up over time. This substance is particularly prominent in places that have hard water. To help ease the issue, pour a pot of boiling hot water down the drain, or use baking soda and vinegar to help loosen the built-up soap particles. If neither of these work, you can plunge with warm water.
- P-trap
- The p-trap is the curving pipe beneath your bathroom sink that connects to the wall pipe. This prevents harmful sewer gasses from entering your bathroom. However, it is common for things to get lodged or stuck in this curvature. Thankfully, this section of the sink is easily removable. Watch for any old water when removing the pipe, but then simply scrub the p-trap section and replace to fix this clog.
- Damaged Pipes
- Sometimes, the issue is just that the pipes are old and need to be replaced. Over time, natural circumstances like rust, corrosion, and other common damages can lead to a slowed drain or a clog. The only solution for this issue is to replace the pipe. You can plunge or snake the drain for temporary relief.
How to unclog a bathroom sink
If you’ve tried the above solutions, and it’s just not working out, here are a few other solutions that might help. Try these methods in order.
- Baking soda & vinegar
- Unscrew the drain cover and remove the stopper.
- Sprinkle ¼ cup of baking soda down the drain.
- Pour 1 & ¼ cup of white vinegar down the drain.
- Let it sit for 20 minutes. Wait for the fizzing to stop.
- Slowly pour hot water down the drain to rinse.
- Repeat this process up to three times.
- Remove hair
- Unscrew the drain cover and remove the stopper.
- Use a flashlight to look into the drain.
- If you can see hair clumps, then utilize a long tweezer to remove it.
- If you cannot see any hair, then use a zip-it tool to remove the hair.
- Only push the tool as far as it will go without excess force.
- Repeat as necessary, then rinse with hot water.
- Plunge
- Unscrew the drain cover and remove the stopper.
- Add about an inch of water to the sink.
- Center the plunger over the drain and create an airtight seal to work with.
- Pump the plunger up and down several times.
- Test the drain, and repeat if necessary.
Pristine Plumbing
Some bathroom problems can be fixed within a matter of minutes using things you have at home already. But, if the at-home remedies don’t seem to be doing the trick then you may need professional assistance. Call Pristine Plumbing to get professional help 24/7. Pristine Plumbing will have your drain flowing smoothly in no time!
