This article was co-authored by James Schuelke and by wikiHow staff writer, Eric McClure. James Schuelke, along with his twin brother David, is the co-owner of the Twin Home Experts, a licensed plumbing, leak detection, and mold inspection company based in Los Angeles, California. James has over 32 years of home service and business plumbing experience and has expanded the Twin Home Experts to Phoenix, Arizona and the Pacific Northwest.
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If you’ve got a bathroom sink that's draining slowly, you probably have a partial blockage and it’s best to fix the problem now before it becomes a full clog. The fact that your sink is draining at all is a sign that the blockage isn’t a huge deal, so you should be able to solve this without breaking out any serious chemicals or tools. In this article, we’ll share the best options for dealing with the clog, starting with the easiest ideas and working our way to the more work-intensive solutions.
Steps
Expert Q&A
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QuestionCan a wet/dry vac unclog a drain?James SchuelkeJames Schuelke, along with his twin brother David, is the co-owner of the Twin Home Experts, a licensed plumbing, leak detection, and mold inspection company based in Los Angeles, California. James has over 32 years of home service and business plumbing experience and has expanded the Twin Home Experts to Phoenix, Arizona and the Pacific Northwest.
Professional PlumberYes! Attaching the hose of a wet/dry vacuum to your drain may be strong enough to suck out the debris causing the clog. Just make sure to set the vac to fluids.
Video
Reader Videos
Share a quick video tip and help bring articles to life with your friendly advice. Your insights could make a real difference and help millions of people!
Tips
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To keep your drain from getting blocked in the future, never wash hair down the drain, close the drain and remove hair when you shave, and never pour anything that isn’t a liquid down the sink.[11]Thanks
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If this issue keeps occurring, contact a plumber. There could be some deeper problem in your sewage system causing the issue that you aren’t aware of.[12]Thanks
Warnings
- Never pour oil or grease down the drain. They’ll cause blockages and they’re extremely bad for your pipes.[13]Thanks
References
- ↑ https://www.homeserve.com/en-us/blog/how-to/unclog-kitchen-sink/
- ↑ https://www.southernliving.com/how-to-clean-a-bathroom-sink-drain-7094568
- ↑ https://www.southernliving.com/how-to-clean-a-bathroom-sink-drain-7094568
- ↑ https://www.southernliving.com/how-to-clean-a-bathroom-sink-drain-7094568
- ↑ https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/cleaning/g31153987/best-drain-cleaners/
- ↑ https://bungalow.com/articles/seven-easy-ways-to-unclog-any-drain-in-your-home
- ↑ https://www.southernliving.com/how-to-clean-a-bathroom-sink-drain-7094568
- ↑ https://youtu.be/5XvYir2N2O0?t=15
- ↑ https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/unclog-a-drain-with-a-vacuum-36718716
About This Article
If you need to unclog a slow running bathroom sink drain, pour baking soda down the drain, followed by vinegar, then plug the drain with a rag or a sink stopper. The chemical reaction from the baking soda and vinegar may be able to dislodge the blockage in your pipe. Allow the mixture to sit for about 15 minutes, and boil a pot of water while you wait. Pour the pot of boiling water down the drain, and repeat if the water is still draining slowly. To learn more from our Contractor co-author, like how to use a drain snake to break the clog, keep reading the article!
Reader Success Stories
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"The baking soda method worked well for me. 2 additional hints: Dry the plug zone thoroughly, otherwise the baking soda forms a sticky mass and is hard to push in. If the clog is not clear after the boiling water treatment, fill a squeezable bottle with water, upend it fast into the plug hole and squeeze to squirt water out. This last step cleared the clog for me."..." more