When you notice that your bathroom sink drains a lot slower than your toilet and your bathtub, you can be sure that something is wrong with it. Most likely, there is a partial clog in your sink drain, which could be due to accumulated soap scum or hair from brushing or shaving.
(Pixabay / Brett_Hondow)
While there are other possible causes of a slow sink drain, such as an object that is stuck in the pipe, deterioration within the pipe, or a problem with the main drain line, it would be better to check for the simple problem first, before calling in a licensed drain cleaner and rooter.
The following tips will help you unclog your slow-draining sink if hair and soap scum are the problem:
- Unclog it with a plunger — The first thing you can try is plunging your sink. To do so, cover the sink overflow hole with a piece of duct tape then use the plunger on your drain like you would a toilet. This will help remove any blockages that in the vertical portion of the pipe directly below your sink.
- Snake the drain — If you’ve checked the pipe directly below the sink and it’s clear, the clog may be in the horizontal portion of the pipe. If this is the case, you can snake the drain to remove the blockage. A tool like this can easily be found at Walmart or your local store for just a few bucks.
If one of the above methods works, take a few minutes to run hot water down the drain. This will help remove any leftover gunk that may be clinging onto the walls of the pipe. If neither of these methods work, you may need to call a professional drain cleaner and rooter to do the job.
While you can’t prevent slow drains from ever happening, you can reduce how often it happens by doing the following:
- Let hot water run through your pipe occasionally to help move things through the system. This is especially important to do if you have a house with older pipes.
- Use drain clearing products on a monthly basis to keep your pipes free from clogs.
- Clean up any hair in or around your sink instead of letting it go down the drain.