Dec10
How To Fix a Slow-Draining Bathroom Sink
Reading Time: 3 minutesTips For Resolving Stubborn Bathroom Sink Clogs
A slow-draining bathroom sink is an incredibly common yet highly annoying problem often experienced by Kelowna homeowners. Not only does a drainage problem disrupt your everyday bathroom routine, but it also can lead to bacteria buildup and foul smells that won’t go away until the issue is fixed. Fortunately, a slow-draining sink is one of the easiest home plumbing issues to resolve without a plumber if you have the right guidance.
In this article, we will provide you with practical advice for tackling a bathroom drainage problem on your own and tell you when you should call in the professionals. Keep reading to find out!
What May Be Causing Your Bathroom Sink to Drain Slowly
The most common culprit for a slow-draining bathroom sink is a clogged drain. Drain clogs are incredibly common in the bathroom, as hair and bathroom products can easily become trapped inside a drain and accumulate until a clog forms, making it difficult for water to pass through the drain.
If water is pooling up in your bathroom sink and you suspect it’s because you have a clog in your drain, it may be due to an accumulation of any of the following items:
- Hand and body lotion
- Makeup and cosmetics
- Hair products
- Toothpaste
- Bar soap
- Hair pins and elastics
- Jewellery
- Facial hair trimmings
5 Ways to Fix a Drainage Problem in Your Bathroom Sink
The best way to fix drainage issues in your bathroom sink is to be more mindful about what you are putting down your drain. Rinsing things like hand soap and toothpaste down the drain are unavoidable; however, being more careful when shaving and using hair products can go a long way.
If you’ve already developed a clog in your bathroom sink drain and it is not draining properly anymore, here are a few tips that can help you resolve the issue.
- Clear Debris From the Drain
Your first step should always be to check the drain for a visible blockage and remove any debris that may be preventing water from travelling down the drain. If the blockage is visible and located towards the opening of the drain, you can easily remove it using needle-nose pliers or a drain snake.
- Use Baking Soda and Vinegar
After you’ve removed any visible debris, if water still won’t drain properly, there may be further residue located deeper within the drain. An easy way to address this is to clean the drain using a solution made from baking soda and vinegar. Simply pour half a cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by a cup of vinegar. Then, cover the drain and wait 15 to 30 minutes before pouring hot water down the drain. This will help to flush out any remnants of residue throughout the drain.
- Use a Drain Snake
For large clogs that live deep within the drain, you’ll need to get a bit more aggressive and use a drain snake to dislodge it. If you are unfamiliar, a plumber’s snake is a long, flexible tool that’s inserted into a drain to physically remove clogs and is a great way to clear out your bathroom sink drain.
- Clean the P-Trap
If cleaning out the drain itself isn’t resolving your drainage issue, you may need to clean the P-trap, which is a curved pipe you will see under the sink.
This can be easily done without help from a plumber. Just loosen the slip nuts on both ends of the P-trap, remove it, and clean out any clogs or debris inside the trap before reassembling it. Before removing the P-trap, make sure that there is a bucket or container to catch any water and debris.
- Call a Plumber
If you’ve tried all of the above and the problem still persists, you may need to call one of our professional plumbers to take a look.
At My Plumber Kelowna, our licensed, trained, and highly experienced plumbers have the expertise and professional tools to effectively handle stubborn bathroom clogs and drainage issues, along with any other plumbing issues you may be experiencing.
Call us today at 250-601-0000 or fill out a form on our website, and we will be in touch ASAP.