My Bathroom Sink

Unclogging a Bathroom Sink

A clogged sink is annoying, but we only think about it when it is too late. As long as water is flowing, we normally don’t mind how much hair, cream or soap is flowing down the sink. Until all these elements combine to clog the bathroom sink.

The easiest try, the one which should be the first, is simply to try the plunger. Every household should have one, since it will be useful for sure. Add a little bit of water and plunge the sink at least dozen times. Take a look to see if water is flowing faster. If it is, then it is working. Don’t give up until you tried hard enough to expect results. A tip here is to cover the overflow drain so that all the pressure builds up in the clog. If thing works out, turn on the hot water and let it flow for some minutes. That will remove the grease or whatever and wash it down. Didn’t work out? Then try next step.

Take apart the tail piece. The tail piece is also called the P-trap, since it has the form of a P. Perhaps you’ll need a pipe wrench or any similar tool. It smells terrible, but it can solve your problem. If the clog is in the tail piece, than you can clean and put it together again. No results? Then move to step three.

Use some chemicals. If the bathroom sink is clogged, but there is still some water flowing, try some caustic chemical products. Some are specific for clogged sinks, and some can be made at home. Vinegar is known for being effective.  Alcohol and gasoline will also dissolve some grease substance clogging your pipe. Don’t abuse pouring too much down the drain.  All these substances are very harmful for the environment and should only be used as a last resource.

Nothing worked out? Go for a drill snake. There is no need to buy one, they are available to rent. There are also sink snakes that are equally effective. The smallest are thirty feet and can reach deep down the drain. Just let it go down the piping and move it slowly. You’ll feel it going down and you can partially control the direction of it. Sometimes you’ll feel the clog getting dissolve and other times you’ll have to test pouring water down the sink. Drill snakes are highly effective. Wear gloves for your safety.

After unclogging the bathroom sink, always let hot water flow down abundantly for some minutes.