Everyone has been there – you go to use the sink and notice that the water isn’t draining like it’s supposed to. You know that if you don’t take care of the clog quickly, things are only going to get worse.
A clogged bathroom sink can be a huge pain, but it doesn’t have to be. If you’re armed with the right information, you can take care of the clog yourself without having to call in a plumber.
In this article, we’ve got 5 DIY solutions for how to unclog your bathroom sink. These solutions are easy to follow, and they’ll help you get your sink flowing again in no time. We’ll also show you how to clean your bathroom sink drain so you can avoid common clogs in the future, so let’s get started!
Why is Your Bathroom Sink Clogged in the First Place?
Before we get into the solutions, let’s take a quick look at some of the most common reasons why bathroom sinks become clogged. This will help you troubleshoot the problem and choose the best solution for your needs. The common reasons include:
Hair Build-up
One of the most common reasons your bathroom sink gets clogged is due to hair build-up in the drainage system. Small strands of hair can build up over time in your sink drain causing a blockage. This is one of the most common causes of a bathroom sink backup.
In order to avoid this type of clog, you can install a hair catcher over your drain. This will catch any hair before it has a chance to go down the drain and cause a problem.
Soap Scum
Another common culprit is soap scum. This happens when soap residue mixes with water and hardens inside your pipes. Over time, soap scum can build up and cause a clog.
Toothpaste, Makeup, and Other Products
Another common cause of clogged bathroom sinks is the build-up of toothpaste, makeup, and other products. These products can solidify inside your pipes and cause a clog.
To avoid this, you should make sure that you’re rinsing all of your products down the drain after each use. You can also use a baking soda solution to break down any products that have already solidified in your pipes.
Possible Damaged Pipes
In some cases, a clogged bathroom sink may be the result of damaged pipes. This can happen if your pipes are old and have reached their end of life. If you think that your pipes may be the problem, you should call a plumber to perform a drain camera inspection to determine the condition of your pipes.
5 Simple DIY Solutions For Unclogging Your Bathroom Sink
Now that we’ve gone over some of the most common causes let’s take a look at the best ways to unclog your bathroom sink. These solutions are easy to follow, and they’ll help you get your sink flowing again in no time.
1. Try Plunging The Drain
When your bathroom sink is clogged, the first thing you should try is plunging the drain. This will help to break up any clogs that are close to the surface. Here are the steps:
- Fill up your sink with enough water to cover the plunger.
- Place the plunger over the drain and make sure that it’s sealed tight.
- Pump the plunger up and down for 30 seconds.
If the clog is close to the surface, this should break it up and allow the water to start flowing again. If the clog is deeper in the pipes, you may need to try a different solution.
2. Use a Chemical Drain Cleaner
If plunging doesn’t do the trick, you can try using a chemical drain cleaner. This is a strong solution that might help you break up even the toughest clogs. Just be careful not to use too much, as it can damage your pipes. Here’s how to unclog a bathroom sink with chemicals:
- Follow the instructions on the bottle and add the recommended amount of cleaner to your sink.
- Let the chemical drain cleaner sit for the recommended amount of time.
- Flush the drain with hot water.
If the clog is still present, you may need to repeat this process up to three times or as recommended by the cleaner’s instructions. Also, here’s a helpful article about drain cleaning chemicals if you would like to learn more.
3. Snake The Drain
If a plunger and chemical drain cleaner don’t do the trick, you may need to snake the drain. This will help break up any clogs further down in your pipes. Here’s how to do it:
- Remove the strainer or stopper from your sink and insert the end of the snake into the opening.
- Feed the snake down the drain until you feel resistance.
- When you feel resistance, turn the handle of the snake in a clockwise direction.
- Continue turning the handle until you feel the clog break lose.
- Pull the snake out of the drain and run hot water down the drain to flush out any debris.
If you are still having trouble using the plumbing snake or drain auger, you can check out our article: How To Use Drain Auger or Plumbing Snake: A Step-by-Step Guide
4. Take Apart the P-trap and Clean It Out
If you’re still having trouble, you may need to take apart the P-trap and clean the sink drain from there. This will require a few tools, but it’s not too difficult to do. Here’s how to do it:
- Place a bucket under the P-trap to catch any water that may drain out.
- Loosen the screws that are holding the P-trap in place and remove it from the drain.
- Empty any water that’s in the P-trap into the bucket.
- Clean out the P-trap with a wire brush.
- Reattach the P-trap to the drain and tighten the screws.
This might be a good time to snake the drain as well, just to make sure that there aren’t any other clogs further down.
5. Use Baking Soda Solution
If you’re looking for a natural way to unclog your bathroom sink, you can try using a baking soda solution. This is a safe and effective way to break up clogs without damaging your pipes. Here’s how to unclog the bathroom sink with baking soda:
- Mix 1/2 cup of baking soda with 1/2 cup of vinegar in a bowl.
- Pour the mixture down your drain and let it sit for 30 minutes.
- After 30 minutes, flush the drain with hot water.
This solution should help to break up any clogs that are in your drain. If the clog is still present, you may need to repeat this process up to three times.
What To Do If You Can’t Clear Your Bathroom Sink?
If your bathroom sink is still clogged and you have tried everything, it’s time to call a professional. A plumber will be able to quickly and easily clear your bathroom sink and get it working again in no time.
A professional plumber has the tools and experience to quickly clear any clogs that you may have. They will also be able to inspect your pipes and make sure that there isn’t any damage.
If you’re having trouble with a clogged bathroom sink in your home or business in Lower Mainland Canada, don’t hesitate to reach out to Your Guy Plumbing. We have offered drain cleaning services in Greater Vancouver for over decades, and we’re proud to be one of the most trusted plumbing companies in the area.
Conclusion
If your bathroom sink is clogged, don’t panic! There are a few things that you can do to try and clear the clog on your own. Always remember to be safe when working with chemicals and tools. If you’re not comfortable doing something, it’s always best to call a professional.
We hope that this article has helped you learn how to unclog your bathroom sink. If you have any questions or need help, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We’re always here to help!