Why is my bathroom sink clogged?
This is a question that many homeowners ask themselves when they experience a slow-draining sink or can see water coming out of their drain.
Sometimes, items other than water get flushed down your sink and lodged inside the pipework. Whether over time due to soap scum build-up or if a piece of jewellery or toy suddenly washes down the sink.
A foul smell and a gurgling sound from your bathroom sink indicate a clogged bathroom sink drain obstructing the seamless water flow down the drain. Some of these include:
Blocked Pipes
Vent pipes are always connected to plumbing systems, letting sewer gases leave the house. These usually go around the roof and then escape from there. But if there’s a blockage in any of these pipes, the gas might return from the drain. And then back into your bathroom.
Clogged Drains
Many reasons, like fat and grease build-up, stuck food items, or oil accumulation, can clog your drains. If this plumbing problem is not treated, your sink will not clear out completely, or water will slowly move down the drain. The wastewater can sometimes return from the pipes, leading to a malfunctioning sink.
Faulty P-Trap
The P-trap pipe is located underneath the sink and inside the cabinets below. It is an essential part of the drainage system, as it keeps wastes and debris from affecting water flow. If the P-trap gets damaged or wears out over time, it can cause large-scale clogging. It’s best to clean your P-trap occasionally to keep it unobstructed. If you don’t want your drain opening up the P-trap, use a thin wire to clean out the debris or use a coat hanger wire, a thin stick or a nylon brush cleaner to take out the dirt or a brush to clean the insides thoroughly, call your trusted plumbing team to do the task for you.
Need a Plumbing Service?
There are ways to unclog a bathroom sink drain, and you can use items and materials around your home to help clear a drain blockage.
Wire Hanger
This method is straightforward, as you typically have a coat hanger in your cupboard.
You must unbend the wire and use the hooked end to fish out or move the obstruction.
It may get a bit messy as you retrieve hair and other debris. Finish off by pouring warm water down the drain to wash away any first and soap scum.
Baking Soda and Vinegar
Nothing is better than vinegar, boiling water, and baking soda for a natural drain-cleaning remedy.
When these three elements are combined, they create a reaction that eats away at grease and scum that you may find in a blocked bathroom sink drain.
Start by pouring 1 cup of baking soda down the sink, followed by 1 cup of vinegar. Let the mixture sit overnight, then wash it with boiling water. Make sure you protect yourself from burns and scales.
Boiling Water
Using water alone can be just as effective. But it has to be boiled to cut through grease, soap residue and fatty substances.
Take your time pouring the water a few seconds apart and in stages.
Wet and Dry Vacuum
You can hire one from any home improvement store if you do not have a wet and dry vacuum.
This is perfect for sucking up any liquid stuck in leftovers in your bathroom sink. Make sure you start by using the wet setting. Cover the drain with a tight seal completely. You can change the setting to dry when all the fluid has been removed.
The maximum setting is ideal for loosening and removing foreign material.
Drain Cleaning
Preventative measures are your best option to ensure a clean drain free from blockages. Maintenance of your plumbing system and pipes involves regular cleaning of drains and inspecting your pipework using CCTV camera imaging.
Our team can help you with various ways to unclog your big and small drains.
Call a professional plumber to protect your property and prevent flooding and major drain blockages.
