Does your bathroom sink smell bad, and does it take forever to drain? It’s probably clogged, and you need to do something about it before it worsens.
Before learning how to clear a clogged bathroom sink, you need to understand why bathroom sinks get clogged in the first place. The biggest culprits are hair and soap scum. Hair clumps together when it gets wet, so it can easily form a clog when it goes down the drain.
As for soap scum, it’s a chalky and filmy substance that can stick to the pipes and buildup, especially if some clumps of hair are stuck down there.
What then can you do to get rid of these nasty clogs?
1. Pour some boiling water down the drain
If your bathroom sink is made of porcelain, you shouldn’t pour boiling water in it. If your sink is not made from porcelain, wait for it to drain completely. Then, boil some water in a kettle or a pot and slowly pour it down the drain.
This very hot water could destroy the buildup of hair and soap scum clogging your bathroom sink.
However, if you try this tip a few times and it doesn’t work, try something else.
2. Rely on the power of baking soda and vinegar
There’s a good reason why baking soda and vinegar are often recommended to clean different surfaces and unclog plumbing pipes. This is a very effective home remedy, made from ingredients most people already have in their pantry.
Simply combine equal parts of both ingredients and pour them down your clogged bathroom sink drain after completely drained.
The mixture will fizz and hopefully dissolve the clog. Wait at least half an hour, then pour hot water down the drain to see if it’s still clogged.
3. Plunge your sink with a cup-shaped plunger
If you have a small cup-shaped plunger at home, use it. Flanged plungers are for toilets, but cup-shaped plungers are for sinks.
Remove the stopper from your clogged sink, then add enough water to cover the drain. Place the plunger over it, and press on it to create a good seal. Pump it up and down for 15 seconds, then remove it.
If the plunger manages to unclog your sink, the water should drain immediately.
4. Use some caustic soda
Caustic soda is very effective at dealing with clogged bathroom sinks. However, you must use this chemical cautiously, as it could burn your skin.
To use caustic soda, start by wearing rubber gloves and protective goggles. Mix some caustic soda and cold water, then pour them down the drain.
The mixture will fizz as it goes down, and it will also generate some heat. Wait at least half an hour before flushing it down with hot water. Hopefully, your problem will be solved.
5. Make a drain snake with a wire hanger
A drain snake, or plumber’s snake, is a convenient tool for unclogging sinks. You can make your version of a drain snake with a wire hanger.
Simply untangle the wire, and form a small hook at one end. Slide that hook down your clogged sink drain, and twist it around.
The goal is to try to fish out the clumps of hair and gunk clogging your bathroom sink. After successfully removing some nasty stuff from the drain, rinse it with hot water.
6. Use a wet/dry vacuum cleaner
If you don’t own a wet/dry vacuum cleaner, check if someone you know could lend you one or if you could rent one somewhere.
You can then cover the vent of your clogged sink and place the vacuum’s hose over the drain. Use the wet or liquid setting of the vacuum, then let it do its job.
If this does not work, removing the P-trap, the U-shaped bend in the pipe connected to your sink, might be necessary. Debris often accumulates in this bend, and cleaning it can become necessary.
If you don’t feel confident enough to remove your P-trap to clean it, it’s best to call a plumber.
7. Get a real drain snake
Instead of renting a wet/dry vacuum, you could buy a drain snake. This can be a good investment, especially if you often have to clear a clogged bathroom sink.
Slide the snake down the drain, and use it to try to dissolve and remove the nasty clog.
Conclusion
Now that you have cleared your clogged sink, take measures to prevent a future clog. Remember to clean your sink’s stopper regularly, and add a drain screen that will catch hair and soap scum before it has a chance to go down.
You should also pour some boiling water down the drain at least once a month to break down buildups before they become big enough to clog the pipes.