How to Unclog a Bathroom Sink

Is your bathroom sink draining slow or not at all? Are you left trying to figure out how to unclog a bathroom sink? The approach you take to unclogging your bathroom sink is dependent on what’s clogging it. You can flush soap scum clogs with vinegar and baking soda while tweezing or plunging works better on sinks with hair clogs. In this article, we’re going to troubleshoot common bathroom sink clogs and best practices for unclogging them.

Why Is My Bathroom Sink Clogged 

There are four common reasons why your bathroom sink is clogged. Determining which one of the problems you have will give you a place to start. Things to look for include: 

• Clumps of Hair – When hair enters your sink drain it clumps together and gets stuck on the walls or the drain’s components. Tweezing or using a zip-it tool can remove hair in your sink. If neither works, then you may need to disassemble the whole drain. 

• Soap Scum – Soap scum can build up in your pipes over time. Pouring a pot of boiling water down the drain or using baking soda and vinegar will usually do the trick on soap scum. If you need more power, try plunging with warm water. 

• P-Trap Clog – The p-trap is the curving pipe beneath your bathroom sink that connects to the wall pipe. If something falls down your drain, it may get stuck in your p-trap. Removing and cleaning the p-trap is the only way to unclog it. 

• Damaged Pipes – Rust, corrosion, and other common pipe damage can lead to a slow drain or clog over time. You should replace rusted pipes as soon as possible. Plunging or snaking them can also help. 

How to Unclog Your Bathroom Sink 

After you’ve figured out why you have a clogged drain, try the methods we’ve recommended above. If you can’t figure out what your drain’s issue is, then give us a call at 904-647-1221.

Note: Never use chemical drain cleaners. 

Baking Soda and White Vinegar 

1. Unscrew the drain cover and remove the sink stopper.
2. Measure out a ½ cup of baking soda and 1 cup of white vinegar.
3. Pour the ½ cup of baking soda into the drain.
4. Pour the cup of vinegar down the drain.
5. Let the mixture sit in the drain for several minutes, until fizzing stops.
6. Rinse hot water into the drain.

Tweeze or Pull out Hair 

1. Remove the stopper.
2. Use a flashlight to look down the drain.
3. If you can see hair, use long-nosed tweezers to retrieve it directly.
4. If you can’t see hair, use a zip-it tool, or bend and insert a wire hanger to retrieve it.
5. Slide the tool up and down the drain as far as it will go naturally. Don’t attempt to force it.
6. Push the tool in at different angles. Try to move it around the drain to catch more hair.
7. Repeat the process several times, rinsing with hot water as necessary.

Clean the p-trap 

1. Put a bucket under your p-trap and wear rubber gloves.
2. Loosen the slip nuts by hand or with pliers as necessary.
3. Remove the p-trap by hand and dump the water into the bucket.
4. Look for and remove objects in the water or lodged in the trap.
5. Clean the p-trap with a bristle brush.
6. Put the p-trap back together and test the drain.

Need Help Unclogging Your Bathroom Sink? 

Top of the Line Plumbing provides plumbing services to Duval County, St. Johns County, Atlantic Beach, Jacksonville Beach, Ponte Vedra Beach, and the surrounding areas. There isn’t a plumbing job too big or too small for our team to handle. From repairs and repiping to hydro jetting and water filtration, Top of the Line has the experts to get the job done.

Contact us today!

904-647-1221