How to Unclog a Bathroom Sink
The alarm rings, the day calls. You get up but are half-asleep. You start doing your morning rituals. One of them is brushing your teeth. In your half-asleep state, you open the tap of the bathroom sink. A while later you see water filling up your bathroom sink! Now, you are wide awake! Worry not, here are ways to unclog a bathroom sink...
There are many ways to unclog a sink in the bathroom. You can do it manually or by using chemical cleaning products available in the market. Unclogging bathroom sink yourself, will save the cost of the plumber and the embarrassment of the plumber passing comments on bathroom cleaning like "When was the last time you got your drain unclogged?", "It's a big clog!", etc. If some water is flowing through the bathroom drain, then it will be easier to unclog bathroom sink. Compared to kitchen sink, a bathroom sink gets clogged more. In kitchen sink, hot water keeps flowing so the clog and other greasy stuff gets dissolved. Also, the things that go down the bathroom sink are hair, toothpaste, soap and other gooey products, which increase the chances of clogging.
Method 1: Pouring Hot Water
If the sink is partially blocked, hot water might unblock it. Pour boiling water down the bathroom sink to unclog it. Be careful with pipes that are sensitive to heat, such as PVC pipes. Do not use boiling water. Use hot water.
Method 2: Using Baking Soda and Vinegar
This is a well-known method, and can work wonders in certain cases. Take half a cup of baking soda and pour it down the bathroom sink. Now, take one cup of vinegar and pour it down the sink. Wait for half an hour and pour hot water. The baking soda and vinegar will dissolve the clog, and the hot water will help remove any slime sticking on the inner surface of the pipe.
Method 3: Using a Plunger
This is my personal weapon of choice. There are plungers of small size available in the market, especially for bathroom sink. If you don't have a small plunger, a toilet plunger will also do. It's just that using a small plunger, will prevent some water from splashing around. Fill the sink pipe with water, now place the plunger on the drain. Pour some water on the plunger, till the plunger head is inside water. Now start plunging vigorously, do this at least 10-15 times. If some water is leaking through some vent, ask somebody to cover the vent with a rag. After unclogging the bathroom sink, pour some hot water.
Method 4: Cleaning the Pipe Manually
If it is a tough clog, remove the pipe with the help of a pipe wrench. Now, take a wire from a cloth hanger. Shape one end of the wire in a hook, with the help of a plier. Be careful in holding the other edge. Now put this wire inside the pipe and know the position of the clog. From the end of the pipe which is nearer to the clog, start pulling the clog. Now, to clean the pipe completely pour some hot water in it. If your pipe is in a bad state or completely rusted, fit the sink with a new one.
Method 5: Using Chemicals
There are many caustic chemicals available in the market. You can purchase one and use it to unclog bathroom sink. Read the instructions on the product before using it. Many people don't prefer using chemicals because of environmental issues.
Useful Tips
- Use rubber gloves for safety.
- Use hot water/boiling water according to the type of pipe.
- If the sink is smelling bad, pour vinegar in the sink.
- Keep a bucket and mug nearby, to gather the falling water.
- Keep a cloth handy to wipe the floor, to prevent yourself from slipping.
- If the situation of the bathroom sink is worse and you can't do the plumbing using the above methods, call a plumber.
