How to Unclog a Bathroom Sink
There are a lot of things that find their way into your bathroom sink. Hair, soap, and personal care products can all accumulate in the drain, resulting in a pesky clog. Once in a while, you’ll find yourself with a serious backup and the water won’t go down the drain at all. But most of the time, you’ll experience a light clog where the water drains slowly out of the basin. It’s tempting to ignore this seemingly benign problem, but letting it go will allow that clog to grow into a plumbing monster. Try these DIY tricks to unclog that bathroom sink:
Pour Boiling Water
If your sink is draining slowly but isn’t completely clogged, there may be a simple fix. Boil a kettle or pot of water and gradually pour it directly into the drain. As soap scum dissolves and smaller hairs loosen, the clog should dissipate. You can repeat this process a second time if the clog persists. However, if this still doesn’t fully remove the clog, you will have to try another method.
Use Baking Soda and Vinegar
Chemical drain cleaners are damaging to you, the environment, and your pipes. You can, however, try a homemade natural solvent to dissolve your clog. Using a funnel, pour ¼ cup of baking soda directly into an empty drain. Then, with the same funnel, add in 1 ¼ cup of white vinegar and stop/plug the drain. Let it sit for 20 minutes and rinse with boiling water.
Try a Plunger
If solvents and boiling water aren’t enough, bring out the plunger. Make sure you use a small plunger designed for sinks. First, remove the drain stopper and add a little bit of water to the drain. Then center the plunger over the drain hole and firmly pump up and down for about 15 seconds. The clog should release and you’ll see the water clear out quickly.
Snake the Drain
Stubborn clogs will need to be handled manually. A drain snake or sink auger should do the trick, both of which you can purchase at any hardware store. Start by removing the drain stopper and inserting the snake or auger. Feed it down the drain until you hit the clog. Pull the snake up and down or crank the auger to loosen the clog. When you remove the tool from the drain, the clog should come out with it, as well. Finish the process by pouring hot water down the drain.
Utilize a Wet/Dry Vac
A wet/dry vacuum is another useful tool for severe clogs — and you probably already have one in your garage. Begin by locating the P-trap. This is that curved piece of piping under the sink. Place a bucket under the trap and carefully remove it with a screwdriver or wrench. Water may spill out.
Next, attach the wet/dry vac to the pipe and plug the sink drain up using a sink stopper or rag. Make sure the vacuum is set to “liquid” and turn it on, pulsing it on and off a few times. Manually remove whatever is left of the clog in the pipe. Reattach the P-trap and test the sink to see if the clog is gone.
Stephens Plumbing Can Unclog Your Bathroom Sink
If DIY home improvement isn’t your thing or you’ve exhausted all available options, the experienced plumbers at Stephens Plumbing will know what to do. Service calls for clogs are common and there’s no blockage too big for us to handle. We are available 24/7 and ready to assist you with all your bathroom plumbing needs.