Just like the kitchen sink, bathroom sinks are an essential part of our daily routine. We use them to brush our teeth, wash our faces, and clean our hands. But when your sink drain is slow or backed up, it makes many bathroom activities much harder! When dirty water can’t drain (or refuses to do so quickly or effectively), getting your clogged bathroom sink drain fixed as soon as possible is essential.
If you ever encounter a clogged sink drain, try a few things before calling for Anchor Plumbing (or grabbing a drain snake). Whether your facing hair clogs or bigger clogs from other debris, here are four tips you can try on your own to unclog your bathroom sink drain and keep it running smoothly. You can also check out our white vinegar and baking soda cleaning guide for bathroom clogs!
Clear Debris from Your Sink Drain
Sometimes you don’t have to go far to find the clog – you might even be able to see whatever is stopping up the drain!
Grab a flashlight and take a peek down the drain pipes. Can you see any hair, mold buildup, or soap scum? If you can spot the problem, clear it with a bent wire hanger or a small cleaning device (like an old toothbrush or dish wand). Removing the blockage this way can get you back on track!
If you can’t see the issue, you might need to call a licensed Brevard plumber – but check out our other tips first.
Use a Plunger to Dislodge Sink Clogs
Is your bathroom sink clogged? Like with a toilet, your toilet plunger is one of the great DIY methods to unclog a bathroom sink (or even the kitchen sink drain!).
Unclogging most drains with a plunger is simple. First, fill the sink with a little standing water and use the plunger to form a tight seal over the drain opening. Many bathroom or kitchen sinks have double sinks. If yours does, make sure that you use a drain stopper (or any old rag that can also be a sink stopper) to seal the other side.
Then, plunge the slow drain six to eight times and check to see if your sinks work. If not, it might be time to call your professional plumber!
Use Hot Water for a Clogged Bathroom Sink
The baking soda and vinegar method works great to flush soap scum clogs, hair clumps, and mold buildup – but boiling water may also do the trick!
When you run hot water down a clogged drain, the hot water may loosen up the drain clog and flush it away. You can use a tea kettle, heat a cup of water on the microwave’s highest setting, or boil a pot on the stove. Then, pour boiling water into the drain slowly, letting it sit for a few seconds between pours.
While it doesn’t have the chemical reaction of a cup of baking soda and white vinegar, homeowners can often unclog their sink with this quick and simple method!
Clean Out the Bathroom Sink Drain P-Trap
Your pipes lead to a P or U-shaped pipe called a P-trap. P-traps have a curved section that traps sewer gases and prevents them from exiting through the drain – but they can also harbor a clog.
If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, try cleaning the p-trap to see if it helps your plumbing issues. You’ll need a pipe wrench and a bucket. Before starting, drain the sink and put the bucket underneath the plumbing to catch grime and any remaining drips. Search for the pipe’s bend, which resembles the letter P, and use your wrench to loosen the slip nuts. Once dismantled, you can use rubber gloves, a toothbrush, or a sponge to clean out the P-trap.
Nothing Worked? Time to Call Anchor Plumbing!
If none of these techniques yield positive results, it’s probably best to seek assistance from a licensed, insured, and trustworthy Brevard plumber like Anchor Plumbing. Call our professional team of plumbers for an expert solution to your problematic clog – we’ll get it taken care of pronto!
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