Has your bathroom sink drain clogged and turned into a scene out of a horror movie? It’s time to buckle up and get rid of all the clogs.
A clogged bathroom sink drain can occur for many reasons. Primarily, soap residue, grooming products, and hair combine to create build-ups, blocking the sinkhole and obstructing water flow. Even though a complete blockage is rare, it may eventually happen if you don’t take timely measures.
That said, unblocking the bathroom sink is a simple enough DIY task, and there are several ways you can restore full functionality. Besides, you’ll save money that you’d otherwise spend on plumbing services.
So, without further ado, let’s find out how to unblock a bathroom sink drain and say goodbye to a slow drain and stubborn clogs!
How To Unblock Bathroom Sink
Determine The Cause Of The Block
Is your bathroom sink blocked? The most common symptom of a clog is slow, draining sink. Several reasons can lead to such a situation, including long, entangled hair, soap scum accumulation, and chunks of debris. Regardless of the cause, it ultimately hinders water flow and restricts operability. Therefore, it’s best not to put off this issue until it becomes a complicated and messy affair.
Use Natural Solvents
Natural solvents are the way to go if the blockage has worsened and you need something powerful to straighten things out. The baking soda and vinegar method is a great way to remove standing water. Just follow these steps and eliminate the clogs.
Step 1
Wait for the sink to empty. It may take a little longer, but the water will clear off.
Step 2
Remove the sink stopper. Pour about one-quarter cup of sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) into the sink drain. Use a funnel to ensure that all of the baking soda goes down.
Step 3
Next, put one 1/4th cup of white vinegar through the funnel into the drain.
Step 4
If you don’t have one, plug the basin with a sink stopper or use a small towel. Leave the baking soda and vinegar mixture for around 20 minutes.
Step 5
After 20 minutes, use a kettle or a pot to pour boiling water through the drain slowly. If you’ve got stubborn sink clogs, repeat the process.
Use Boiling Water
This is the easiest and one of the most effective methods to remove minor jams in a blocked sink. Take note of the steps to unclog a bathroom sink.
Step 1
You’ll have to start with an empty bathroom sink drain for this method, so wait for it to drain thoroughly.
Step 2
Fill a pot or kettle with water; make sure it’s light enough for you to handle. Then bring the water to a boil.
Step 3
Remove the drain stopper. Slowly empty the pot with hot water into your bathroom sink drains. You’ll immediately find the build-up dissolving but keep pouring until all of it passes through without filling up the sink.
Step 4
If parts of the clog persist, you may need to pour another batch of boiling water down the drain. So, repeat as required.
Use A Plunger
This helpful implement is available in most houses and works perfectly to remove blocks. In this case, you have to follow these steps using a small plunger.
Step 1
First, put on your rubber gloves and take off the sink stopper. Pull it up and turn it anti-clockwise.
Step 2
Now, pour water into the basin and fill it enough so it’s about 1 inch deep. Make sure not to fill up the entire bowl.
Step 3
Carefully position the bathroom plunger head on the drain mouth and apply pressure to form a tight seal. After that, keep pumping the plunger for at least 15 seconds.
Step 4
Now slowly take off the plunger. Usually, the water moves down immediately as the clog is eliminated. Use a flashlight to probe deeper inside the drain if there’s a blockage.
Step 5
Recheck your drain and repeat the process if parts of the clog have stayed behind.
Use A Wet Dry Vac
Depending on the condition of your bathroom sink, you may need a specialized device like the wet-dry vac to restore its functionality. Follow these instructions to the tee.
Step 1
Put a bucket under the P-trap.
Step 2
Use a screwdriver to take off the P-trap carefully. Or you may have to use a wrench based on the type of fastener attached to the unit.
Step 3
Join the vac hose with the stopper pipe — the one that’s connected to the sink. Now, attach the end of the vac hose to the vacuuming device.
Step 4
Program the device to the ’liquid’ or ’wet’ mode.
Step 5
Use a sink stopper or a towel to plug the drain. This will ensure a tight seal on the drain mouth.
Step 6
Boot up the wet dry vac. It would be best to keep adjusting the power to push down the clog. Usually, the clog gets sucked into the vacuum, but in some cases, you may have to remove it manually from the drain opening.
Step 7
Put back the P-trap and test the sink.
Drain Snake The Sink Pipe
If boiling water or the plunger fails to do the deed, you can try a plumber’s snake. These are steps you must follow while using a plumbing snake.
Step 1
Start by putting a bucket underneath the P-trap.
Step 2
Now, remove this contraption using a screwdriver or a wrench. Take it slow, as you don’t want the water to rush down.
Step 3
Examine the P-trap to see if there’s any clog within. Use a cut wire hanger to get rid of the clog. However, if the P-trap seems fine, you may need a plumbing snake to clear the build-up.
Step 4
Keep inserting the snake through the pipe opening until you hit the blockage.
Step 5
Now, position the snake by tightening the bolt close to the handle. After that, slowly twist the snake to clear off the blockage from the drain. You won’t hit anything once the clog has moved out.
Step 6
Put the P-trap back in position and check the basin.
Getting Your Bathroom Sink Unblocked
Tired of your clogged bathroom sink? We hope one of these methods will come in handy while unblocking your bathroom sink. However, feel free to combine these techniques as sometimes you could use all the muscles to get rid of stubborn build-ups.
That said, the best way to deal with these blockages is to prevent them in the first place. For that, you must avoid washing down your hair while shaving or combing. Also, check on your sink stopper as they accumulate soap, hair, and other debris. And remove the hair you see in your bathroom sink. Using a drain cover is always recommended. Call our Fixed Fast Plumbing team if you have a blocked sink in Sydney. Our professional plumber can handle all your plumbing issues with ease!
On that note, we’d like to take your leave. Till next time!
