4 Ways to Unclog a Slowly Draining Bathroom Sink

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4 Ways to Unclog a Slowly Draining Bathroom Sink
4 Ways to Unclog a Slowly Draining Bathroom Sink

Video: 4 Ways to Unclog a Slowly Draining Bathroom Sink

Video: 4 Ways to Unclog a Slowly Draining Bathroom Sink
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Every bathroom sink drain is partially or completely clogged from time to time. This happens when hair strands or hygiene products get caught and end up accumulating in the tubing. Many people turn to chemical solutions to the problem, but there are also a number of safer, non-corrosive methods that can resolve the situation.

Steps

Method 1 of 4: Using Natural Solvents

Unclog a Slow Running Bathroom Sink Drain Step 1
Unclog a Slow Running Bathroom Sink Drain Step 1

Step 1. Gather the materials

Instead of using corrosive cleaning products that can cause allergic reactions and respiratory problems, you can turn to common household products. For this method you will need:

  • Cloths.
  • Sodium bicarbonate.
  • Vinegar.
  • Lemons.
  • Boiling water.
Unclog a Slow Running Bathroom Sink Drain Step 2
Unclog a Slow Running Bathroom Sink Drain Step 2

Step 2. Measure the ingredients

You will need ¼ cup of baking soda, 1 cup of white vinegar, and 1 large pot of water to boil. Have a cloth or a drain cap handy.

Unclog a Slow Running Bathroom Sink Drain Step 3
Unclog a Slow Running Bathroom Sink Drain Step 3

Step 3. Pour the baking soda down the drain

Aim the product straight into the pipeline, not around it.

Unclog a Slow Running Bathroom Sink Drain Step 4
Unclog a Slow Running Bathroom Sink Drain Step 4

Step 4. Pour cup of vinegar down the drain

At this point, you may hear a bubbling noise or see bubbles due to the chemical reaction. This is normal and means the chemicals are eating away the residue that has accumulated in the sink.

Unclog a Slow Running Bathroom Sink Drain Step 5
Unclog a Slow Running Bathroom Sink Drain Step 5

Step 5. Put the cap or a cloth in the mouth of the drain

This will prevent bubbles from rising through the tubing, as well as leaving the chemical reaction concentrated in the clogged area.

Unclog a Slow Running Bathroom Sink Drain Step 6
Unclog a Slow Running Bathroom Sink Drain Step 6

Step 6. Wait 15 minutes

Let the bicarbonate and vinegar reaction take effect! While waiting, boil the pot of water.

Unclog a Slow Running Bathroom Sink Drain Step 7
Unclog a Slow Running Bathroom Sink Drain Step 7

Step 7. Pour the boiling water down the drain

Doing so will drive the reaction of baking soda, vinegar, and waste down into the pipeline. At this point, see if the sink drains more quickly. If so, but not at normal speed, there may still be something in the way. In that case, try repeating the process one more time.

Before you pour the boiling water down the drain, you can also pour some lemon juice - even more so if you smell an unpleasant smell coming from the sink. Bathroom sinks often become clogged with strands of hair, which end up rotting and releasing a foul odor. With this extra step, you'll neutralize it and help further erode the blockage

Method 2 of 4: Using a traditional plunger

Unclog a Slow Running Bathroom Sink Drain Step 8
Unclog a Slow Running Bathroom Sink Drain Step 8

Step 1. Get the tools

For this method, you only need a flashlight and a traditional plunger. If you like, buy a smaller plunger, made specifically for sinks, at any hardware store (but clean toilet plungers will do, too).

Unclog a Slow Running Bathroom Sink Drain Step 9
Unclog a Slow Running Bathroom Sink Drain Step 9

Step 2. Remove the drain cover

This Step is essential; otherwise, you'll just rip off the cap instead of forcing the debris to move in the pipe.

Use your hands to pull the drain cover as far as possible. Then turn it to the left and continue unscrewing until it comes out

Unclog a Slow Running Bathroom Sink Drain Step 10
Unclog a Slow Running Bathroom Sink Drain Step 10

Step 3. Turn on the sink

Fill it with a few inches of water - enough to cover the drain.

Unclog a Slow Running Bathroom Sink Drain Step 11
Unclog a Slow Running Bathroom Sink Drain Step 11

Step 4. Create a structure that seals and isolates the suction

Place the plunger directly over the drain and press it once until you feel the rubber form a "bubble" of insulation. You may have to climb into a chair to get the correct position and angle.

Unclog a Slow Running Bathroom Sink Drain Step 12
Unclog a Slow Running Bathroom Sink Drain Step 12

Step 5. Unclog the drain

Lean on the plunger handle and then shake it hard up and down about 10-20 times. He must be sealing the place to create suction - or he will end up making the situation worse.

Unclog a Slow Running Bathroom Sink Drain Step 13
Unclog a Slow Running Bathroom Sink Drain Step 13

Step 6. Take out the plunger and see if you have resolved the situation

Point the flashlight down the drain and see how the situation is. If you can see the residue and reach it with your fingers, pull it all out; if not, repeat the steps above until you get it.

Method 3 of 4: Using a Cable to Unclog

Unclog a Slow Running Bathroom Sink Drain Step 14
Unclog a Slow Running Bathroom Sink Drain Step 14

Step 1. Prepare the materials

This method is useful for the most serious obstructions - and therefore involves more materials. You will need:

  • A bucket.
  • A spanner or screwdriver.
  • Cable for unclogging. If you don't have the equipment, improvise and straighten a hanger. Just straighten the accessory's iron to create a hook.
Unclog a Slow Running Bathroom Sink Drain Step 15
Unclog a Slow Running Bathroom Sink Drain Step 15

Step 2. Put the bucket under the sink

Put it right under the siphon, that is, the curved part of the pipe, which comes in direct contact with the drain.

Unclog a Slow Running Bathroom Sink Drain Step 16
Unclog a Slow Running Bathroom Sink Drain Step 16

Step 3. Check if the part is installed in the sink siphon

Some use screws (which need a screwdriver), while others use nuts on the pipe ends (which need an adjustable wrench).

Unclog a Slow Running Bathroom Sink Drain Step 17
Unclog a Slow Running Bathroom Sink Drain Step 17

Step 4. Remove the siphon from the sink

Be careful and see if the bucket is still right under the sink. The accumulated water in the pipe and the smaller pipes that are inside the siphon can end up falling - and the bucket can hold them.

Regardless of the type of part in the siphon, in both cases you will have to turn everything counterclockwise to disassemble. When finished, use your fingers to separate the pieces at once. Leave everything nearby for when it's time to reassemble

Unclog a Slow Running Bathroom Sink Drain Step 18
Unclog a Slow Running Bathroom Sink Drain Step 18

Step 5. Find the obstruction in the pipe

First, examine the siphon. If you see the blockage, use your fingers, hanger, or unclogging cable to force it out.

  • Generally, blockages in the region are caused by the siphon, as its curved part is made to prevent fluids from returning to the sink.
  • If you don't see the blockage, it may be in the pipe that is in direct contact with the wall. If so, you will need the cable to unclog. Stick the tool into the opening in the tube as far as you can (you'll probably stop at the obstruction itself). Then install a nut on the base of the cable and start to turn it. You can also do a round-trip movement, as in the previous methods. When you no longer feel this resistance, remove the equipment from the pipeline.
Unclog a Slow Running Bathroom Sink Drain Step 19
Unclog a Slow Running Bathroom Sink Drain Step 19

Step 6. Reinstall the siphon in the sink

Use the spanner or screwdriver to reinstall the screws or nuts in a clockwise direction. Do not overtighten the parts, or it may cause the frame to crack.

Tighten the screws securely so that water does not leak out

Unclog a Slow Running Bathroom Sink Drain Step 20
Unclog a Slow Running Bathroom Sink Drain Step 20

Step 7. Turn on the sink

At this point, the pipe should drain the water normally, indicating that the process has worked.

Method 4 of 4: Using a water and vacuum cleaner

Unclog a Slow Running Bathroom Sink Drain Step 21
Unclog a Slow Running Bathroom Sink Drain Step 21

Step 1. Prepare the materials

To get started you will need:

  • Cloths.
  • A bucket.
  • Wrench or screwdriver to release the siphon.
  • Water and vacuum cleaner (also called shop-vac).
Unclog a Slow Running Bathroom Sink Drain Step 22
Unclog a Slow Running Bathroom Sink Drain Step 22

Step 2. Put the bucket under the sink

Put it directly under the siphon.

Unclog a Slow Running Bathroom Sink Drain Step 23
Unclog a Slow Running Bathroom Sink Drain Step 23

Step 3. Remove the siphon from the sink

The siphon is the curved pipe that is secured to the pipe with screws or nuts. Make sure the bucket is actually directly under it so it can contain the leaking water.

Depending on the parts that secure the siphon to the sink, you will need a wrench or screwdriver to turn everything counterclockwise. Then use dismantle the structure manually

Unclog a Slow Running Bathroom Sink Drain Step 24
Unclog a Slow Running Bathroom Sink Drain Step 24

Step 4. Find the tube that will connect to the vacuum

Every sink has two pipes, one vertical and one horizontal, which connect at an angle. You will connect the shop-vac to the vertical pipe that goes to the sink.

Unclog a Slow Running Bathroom Sink Drain Step 25
Unclog a Slow Running Bathroom Sink Drain Step 25

Step 5. Place the vacuum cleaner nozzle in the upright pipe

Place it directly under the part to make the connection well-sealed.

Unclog a Slow Running Bathroom Sink Drain Step 26
Unclog a Slow Running Bathroom Sink Drain Step 26

Step 6. Set the vacuum to fluid function

The water and vacuum cleaners have the option of sucking dry or wet residues. In this case, you have to suck out wet objects that are trapped in the pipe.

Unclog a Slow Running Bathroom Sink Drain Step 27
Unclog a Slow Running Bathroom Sink Drain Step 27

Step 7. Close all other pipe outlets

Thus, you will improve the sealing of the parts and facilitate suction.

Without releasing the vacuum cleaner nozzle, put the lid on the drain and block all the pipe outlets in the place where the siphon used to be with some cloths

Unclog a Slow Running Bathroom Sink Drain Step 28
Unclog a Slow Running Bathroom Sink Drain Step 28

Step 8. Turn on the vacuum

If you can't feel the debris moving, you can let some air pass through the lid for a few seconds at a time.

Unclog a Slow Running Bathroom Sink Drain Step 29
Unclog a Slow Running Bathroom Sink Drain Step 29

Step 9. Pulse the vacuum

Turn the equipment on and off for a few seconds at a time to create more suction and loosen debris buildup in the piping. This is even better if the obstruction is very compact.

Unclog a Slow Running Bathroom Sink Drain Step 30
Unclog a Slow Running Bathroom Sink Drain Step 30

Step 10. Continue using the vacuum cleaner until you unclog the sink

If suction is sufficient, the obstruction will exit directly through the pipe, towards the equipment collection bag. Otherwise, you may have to pull the debris with your hands when you reach it.

Unclog a Slow Running Bathroom Sink Drain Step 31
Unclog a Slow Running Bathroom Sink Drain Step 31

Step 11. Reassemble the sink

Take the vacuum cleaner nozzle out of the pipe and re-install the siphon with the spanner or screwdriver. Remember to tighten screws or nuts securely to prevent leakage. Just don't use too much force, or the plastic may crack.

Tips

If the bathroom sink is very old, the piping can be made of other materials, such as iron. Over time, this type of product accumulates residue deposits that block the passage of fluids. When it happens, contact a professional

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