Stubborn clogs: they can drive you crazy as a homeowner. You may have tried many things but to no avail. The best way to unclog a bathroom sink will have to depend on what has clogged it in the first place. For soap scum buildup, use white vinegar and baking soda. For large clogs of objects or hair balls, you’ll need a plunger or drain snake.
Here are some ways to troubleshoot how to unclog your sink drain, many of which also apply to shower and kitchen sink drains as well. If nothing works, be sure to call your trusted Austin TX plumber.
What’s Clogging Your Sink?
Let’s go over the four common things that clog bathroom sinks. Knowing what the culprit is will help you come up with the solution.
1. Clumps of Hair
When hair gets into your sink drain, it gets clumped together over time, sticking to the walls and tangling in the drain’s mechanisms. Grab some long tweezers to get out the hair. If this doesn’t work, you will have to disassemble the whole drain.
2. Soap Scum
Soap scum builds up especially in homes with hard water. It sticks to pipes over the months and years, and leads to mold and mildew growth. Carefully pour some boiling water down the drain or send a mixture of baking soda and vinegar down the drain to hopefully dislodge the scum. If this doesn’t work, plunge the drain with warm water.
3. Object Stuck in P-Trap
The p-trap is basically a curving pipe underneath your bathroom sink. It is connected to the wall pipe and keeps sewer gasses from entering your home via the sink drain. Try disconnecting your bathroom sink p-trap and clearing the object.
4. Damaged Pipes
Corrosion, rust and other damage will result in a slow drain or a clog given enough time. Be sure to get your old, rusted pipes replaced before they get clogged with debris. For a temporary solution, plunge or snake them.
Unclogging Your Bathroom Sink
After you have determined why you have a clogged drain, try these methods to see if they work.
1. Baking soda and white vinegar
- Unscrew the drain cover, removing the sink stopper.
- Measure ½ cup of baking soda and one cup of vinegar.
- Sprinkle into the drain, followed by the vinegar.
- Let it sit for a few minutes.
- Rinse the drain with hot water.
- Repeat the process as needed.
2. Remove hair clog
- Take out the stopper.
- Use long-nosed tweezers to get the clog out.
- If that doesn’t work, try a zip-it tool or insert a bent wire hanger, suggests the Family Handyman.
- Move the tool around the drain to get all the hair.
- Repeat the process as needed.
- Rinse with hot water.
Contact L&P Plumbing
If you have a stubborn sink clog that you can’t seem to clear on your own, call us at 512-468-9030 for a free quote and to schedule an appointment. We would be happy to come out and clear the clog once and for all.
