How to Unclog a Bathroom Sink Drain

The leaves are turning crimson and gold, there is a decidedly autumnal crispness to the air, and school is well underway. That can only mean one thing…the holiday season is coming! And while there is much to love about the holidays, hosting guests can be stressful. Whether for drinks, dinner, or an extended stay, odds are your guests are going to need to visit the bathroom. So, while you are putting out fresh linens and pretty soaps, take a good look at your sink. Is it draining normally or is water backing up and sitting in it?

Is Your Bathroom Sink Clogged?

Bathroom sinks see a lot of action – hand washing, tooth brushing, hair brushing, and shaving can all cause buildup and clogs that can lead to a slow or clogged drain. Add in a few guests and increase the number of bathroom visits for a couple of days, and that slow drain might lead to a catastrophic evening.

Not good! Test your sinks, showers, and tubs to make sure all the water is flowing fine. Don’t wait until it’s too late,

Steps to Unclog a Bathroom Sink

So, what should you do? You can try the following do-it-yourself remedies before you call your plumber:

• Check the sink pop-up – the shape of the pop-up can lead to clog-causing debris and buildup;
• Check the overflow. The overflow is the little hole toward the top of your sink. It serves two purposes: to drain a sink if it is too full and to provide air that allows the sink to drain faster. If it is plugged, your sink drains slowly. Make sure it is clear.
• Use a plunger; be sure to plug the overflow with a rag or cover with some duct tape, or your plunging will not be effective.
• Use a zip strip. The most common clog cause in bathroom drains is hair. Luckily, these clogs usually occur right below the drain. There’s a simple solution. It’s called a zip strip and it costs just a couple of dollars at the hardware store. It’s a flat, plastic flexible stick with tiny points along both sides. Simply push it as far into the drain as you can, wiggle it a bit and pull back. It’s best to have a small bucket handy to put the hairy mess in. It is kind of gross, but usually very effective and a quick, easy fix.

After you remove the clog with any of these methods, be sure to run plenty of hot water down the drain to flush out any additional buildup or residue.

If these attempts do not work, give Herrmann Services a call at (513) 407-5177 or contact us online for a professional plumber in cincinnati to get that sink draining again before your guests arrive. Dealing with your in-laws is stressful enough – don’t let a slow sink drain add to that stress!