subject: Help! I have a Clogged Bathroom Sink! [print this page] Help! I have a Clogged Bathroom Sink! Help! I have a Clogged Bathroom Sink!
You wake up raring to start your day, and when you go into the bathroom you find that you have a clogged bathroom sink. So many different things could be causing the clog--toothpaste, hair, or soap--but fear not, because there are many different home remedies you can try before you call a plumber.If your sink is only partially clogged, a good method is to use hot water. It is important not to use boiling water if you have PVC pipes, because this could easily melt the pipe. So get some tap water, as hot as you can get, and try pouring it down the drain. If this doesn't work, another good and very common method is to use baking soda and vinegar. Try dumping one half cup of backing soda in the drain with a cup of vinegar. It does not matter which type of vinegar you use. Pour some hot water down the pipes after 15 minutes.My favorite method is using a small plunger. These can be found in most markets or home stores and are perfectly sized for using on a bathroom sink. No need to buy a special tool, a toilet plunger works just fine. Make sure the plunger is covered in water to allow the best suction, and place a towel or rag in the overflow vent. Once you have plunged your bathroom sink into submission, again pour some hot water down the drain. This removes any debris that is sticking to the pipes.Okay, so you've tried everything and the sink is still clogged. What do you do? It's time to get physical. Using a bucked under the sink, remove the p-trap with a wrench. Once you have done this, you can run a wire hanger through the pipe and loosen the clog. Using hot water clean the pipes and reattach the pipes. This should cause the water to flow freely... or not.If the water from your clogged bathroom sink still does not drain out easily and quickly, the problem may be further down the pipe. This may require you to call a local plumber. A good way to be sure the problem is further down is to check all your other sinks, toilets and tubs and see if the water drains slowly there as well. If it does, it may be a more costly fix than you had anticipated. A good rule of thumb to keep your pipes as clean as possible is to run the hot water through them at least once a month. It's best to keep them a clean as possible just remove any object that falls into the drain right away so it does not go further.
