Plugged Bathroom Sink .... Yuck!

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Discussion Overview

This thread discusses various personal experiences and suggestions related to dealing with a clogged bathroom sink. Participants share their attempts at unclogging the sink, the products they have used, and the methods they have tried.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes their struggle with a clogged sink and the ineffective results from a drain cleaner they purchased.
  • Another participant suggests using a wire hanger to remove gunk from the drain.
  • One participant expresses concern about damaging old pipes when using a snake for unclogging.
  • Another participant shares their experience of needing to plug the back hole of the sink while plunging to create enough pressure.
  • Several participants mention using baking soda and vinegar as a method to clear clogs, with varying degrees of success.
  • One participant recounts their experience of clearing a clog and finding a significant amount of hair, despite not being the source of it.
  • Another participant notes the importance of boiling water in maintaining clear drains in older homes.
  • One participant shares their frustration with using expensive drain cleaners that have strong odors and long wait times.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ on the effectiveness of various methods and products for unclogging drains, with no clear consensus on the best approach.

Contextual Notes

Participants share experiences primarily related to older plumbing systems and the challenges they face with clogs in bathroom sinks.

Who May Find This Useful

Consultants dealing with similar plumbing issues or those interested in informal methods for unclogging drains may find the shared experiences relevant.

Intrepid_Chef
Intrepid_Chef
Silver Member
Messages
5,144
Any plumbers out there?

My bathroom sink is plugged solid. Earlier this week, I was able to plunge it down. Now when I plunge, all I get is black stuff coughing up from the hole in the back of the sink.

I went to Ace, the place of the (not so) helpful hardware folks. Two people insisted I get the "ten minute drain cleaner" and insisted that was better than Draino. So I got it home. Well, first I realized I had to extract all the water from the sink. That should have told me something right there.

It was 35 minutes until the drain cleaner made it most of the way down the drain. I tried to flush it down ... and there we had it ... another back-up.

My roomate called me 5 hours later to tell me there was still water in the sink.

A plumber is SO not in my budget. Any suggestions?
 
take the stopper out run a wire hanger down it, it will take several tries but you can remove a lot of gunk.
 
  • Thread starter
  • #3
Hmmm ... I think I've tried a snake in there before ... the problem is that the turns are so tight down there ... and the pipes are so old, I am afraid of damaging something.
 
Are you plugging up the hole in the back of the sink while plunging? If you're not - you won't get enough pressure to push the clog through. (I know from experience of having to unclog my drain frequently) - then when the clog is through - pour some baking soda and vinegar down the sink - it will fizz up and then I take boiling water and pour it down the sink. Works like a charm - not hard on the pipes - I have old pipes and my plumber says no drano!
 
  • Thread starter
  • #5
I've tried to plug it ... the hole is small but a wash cloth fits in there, sort of.I am going to clean out the sink tonight and try the drain cleaner again ... flush it down with BOILING water and if that doesn't work, let the baking soda and vinegar sit all night. Hmmmm ... will red wine vinegar work? I'm not sure if I have the white vinegar ...
 
Di_Can_Cook said:
I've tried to plug it ... the hole is small but a wash cloth fits in there, sort of.

I am going to clean out the sink tonight and try the drain cleaner again ... flush it down with BOILING water and if that doesn't work, let the baking soda and vinegar sit all night. Hmmmm ... will red wine vinegar work? I'm not sure if I have the white vinegar ...
Click to expand...

LOL - I don't know....and I'm sorry you are having drain problems, but all I could think when I read your question was "hey, gourmet drain cleaner!" :D
 
  • Thread starter
  • #7
LOL! Naw, just trying to save myself a late-night trip to Big Bird ...
 
I use cider vinegar it seems stronger to me with baking soda good luck
 
  • Thread starter
  • #9
Hmmmm ... I have a whole 2 tablespoons of that ....
 
Once you get it cleared, you can help keep it that way by pouring a couple quarts of boiling water down it once a week. DH and I do that in our drains. We've got an older house and the drains, especially the bathtub, get slow - not completely clogged but definitely slower. The boiling water helps to soften and break up the start of any buildup in the drain before it becomes a big issue.
 
Thanks for the tips.. we have this same problem in our bathroom. Last week it was so bad that it was taking HOURS for water to go down. I am going to try the boiling water vinegar thing.

It is my MIL house and she prefers to buy the expensive drain cleaner. It smells and we can't use the sink for hours. I have little kids and just do not like the way it smells or the smells that come out of the sink.
 
  • Thread starter
  • #12
Well, since last night, I have ...

* Poured boiling water down the drain ... twice.

* Poured baking soda and vinegar down there.

* Used the drain cleaner ... twice.

I poured some down there around 10 a.m. and have not tried any water down there since.

The pipes actually are plastic ... I think the clog is much lower down. I tried to use a coat hanger as a snake and couldn't get it around the "s-bend."

I might take them apart and try to find the clog but honestly .. I don't feel like it. I have a nasty cold and have a pot of soup on the stove ...
 
Is it possible there is something large clogging it?

My DH is the Director of Maintenance for an Assisted Living Center - and I know that the majority of their clogs are from toothpaste or mouthwash lids, shampoo lids...and even in the toilet - hairbrushes, hairspray lids, and yes, even a set of false teeth......and drain cleaner, boiling water, and vinegar do nothing for those things - the only thing you can do is tear it apart!
 
This may sound a little gross- but use a toilet plunger- Go buy a new small toilet plunger, and plunge the sink, making sure that you have plugged up with other small sink home with a washcloth. It may need forceful suction, to get it up- I have had to do this, and it works wonders.
 
  • Thread starter
  • #15
I've tried plunging ... didn't work.

I took the "ten minute drain cleaner" back ... the guy at Ace said that when it is that plugged, all you can do is take it apart. He said that with a bathroom sink, we are probably looking at hair and soap. (I use liquid soap, not the bar kind, but still ....)

I have had Draino Max sitting in there for 3 hours ...I am going to try the boiling water chaser before I go to bed. Then tomorrow, tear it apart before I go to work. What joy is mine ...
 
wear rubber gloves and be careful so if any drain cleaner is stuff on the sludge you aren't hurt
 
Use duct tape to cover the hole on the sink when you are plunging...

Any improvement yet Di?
 
  • Thread starter
  • #18
WELL ICK!

First of all .... got the pipe apart.

The bad news is ... the clog was NOT in the plastic part of the pipe, which I was able to take out and will wash out with a hose in the light of day. It is in the METAL pipe that comes out of the bottom of the cupboard.

The good news is ... I was able to get to the clog. I did the coat hanger thing and got it down about two feet ... not the length of the hanger but about 2/3 of it. I pulled up HAIR ... lots and lots and lots and lots of BLACK, ICKY hair! The funny part ... this is my bathroom sink ... not my bathtub, so of course I do not wash my hair in this sink ... my hair is short and my roomate's hair is even shorter ... and I'm pretty sure that drain has been plugged and cleared since my SIL moved out.

I am going to call it a night ... clean the pipe in the light of day ... and see if I can locate a REAL pipe snake instead of the hanger ... or in lieu of that .... put the hanger back down there at least 10 times ... or until I can pull it up at least 5 times in a row and NOT get any hair out of there. I am NOT doing this again.

Also toying with the idea of calling the Draino Max hotline to see if they think I ought to pour the Draino directly down that pipe to clear the drain.

We had a family friend who ran a septic and plumbing business, and my brother used to call him whenever there was a problem like this ... he would run his electric snake down my drain. Sadly, he died last year from a sudden stroke. Of course, we all miss him but it's times like this that I REALLY miss him!
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What causes a bathroom sink to become plugged?

A bathroom sink can become plugged due to a buildup of hair, soap scum, toothpaste, and other debris that accumulates over time. These materials can create clogs that prevent water from draining properly.

How can I prevent my bathroom sink from getting plugged?

To prevent clogs, regularly clean the sink and remove any visible debris. Using a drain strainer can help catch hair and other particles before they enter the drain. Additionally, flushing the sink with hot water and vinegar once a month can help break down buildup.

What are some DIY methods to unclog a bathroom sink?

Common DIY methods include using a plunger to create suction, pouring baking soda followed by vinegar down the drain, or using a plumbing snake to dislodge the clog. Always ensure to follow safety precautions when using these methods.

When should I call a professional plumber for a clogged sink?

If DIY methods do not resolve the clog after multiple attempts, or if you notice signs of water damage, foul odors, or slow drainage in other areas of your plumbing, it may be time to call a professional plumber for assistance.

Can using harsh chemicals harm my bathroom sink?

Yes, using harsh chemical drain cleaners can damage your plumbing and sink materials over time. It's often safer and more effective to use natural remedies or consult a professional for stubborn clogs.

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