When most people think about bathroom clogs or plumbing issues, their brain goes right to the toilet. Sure, toilet clogs are common, but they are also fairly easy to diagnose and fix. Bathroom sink clogs, on the other hand, can be quite a nuisance--and it isn’t always easy to figure out the cause.
If you are experiencing slow draining water while getting ready in the morning or a bathroom sink that doesn’t drain at all, it’s time to take action and find a solution. Here are the top 4 reasons for bathroom sink clogs.
1. Clumps of Wet Hair
Your bathroom is where you and your family go to get ready for the day. For many, this involves shaving, brushing hair, and more. These grooming activities end up leaving leftover hair in your sink, which often gets flushed into the drain when you turn on the water.
When hair gets wet, it clumps together and manages to catch flakes of skin and dirt that get washed down your drain, too. And, when clumps of hair get big enough, they get caught on the walls of your pipes and build up into bigger, more problematic wet clumps of hair. No matter how fine or small the hairs are, they will get caught if they are being washed down the sink.
Eventually, you are left with a gross clump of wet hair, dirt, and whatever else gets washed down your bathroom sink. This can cause your bathroom sink to drain slowly or not drain at all. If you are someone who is prone to clumps of hair in your pipe drains, consider installing a drain straining device to capture the hair and prevent it from being washing down into your sink. This can help you prevent bathroom sink clogs in the future.
Clumps of wet hair are, by far, the most common cause of bathroom sink clogs.
2. Soap Scum Buildup
The water that comes from your faucet contains several vitamins and minerals used to keep the water pure and safe for human consumption. Two of these minerals are calcium and magnesium. When the chemicals in your soap react with calcium and magnesium ions in water, soap scum develops.
Soap scum is that chalky, film-like substance that sticks to the sides of your bathtub, sink, and pipes over time. Similar to hair clogs, soap scum builds up over time and catches other materials, ultimately creating a giant clog that stops your bathroom sink from draining properly.
Soap scum is difficult to deal with because it is sticky and resilient. It can be very difficult to remove soap scum from your bathroom surfaces without a professional tool. While soap-related bathroom sink clogs are less likely to happen if you have a water softener installed, they can still happen to anyone.
3. Something Stuck in the P-Trap
Directly below your bathroom sink, you will notice part of your drainpipe is bent. The bent part connects your sink’s drain to a larger drain that leads to the sewer. This bent portion of your pipe is referred to as the p-trap.
The p-trap has an important job. It is supposed to prevent toxic and bad-smelling sewer gas and odors from floating back up into your sink drain. The p-trap also holds some water, allowing for suction to help clear the drain, when needed. However, foreign objects sometimes make their way into the p-trap, causing a bathroom sink clog.
Common items that get stuck in p-traps include rings, earrings, contacts, and even chunks of soap. If a hard, solid item has clogged your p-trap, you may hear a stuttering noise when trying to flush water down the drain. Fortunately, p-traps are easily cleaned out using a toothbrush or similar tool.
4. Corroded, Damaged Pipes
When bathroom pipes get corroded or damaged, they become more prone to clogs. Corroded pipes can suffer from rust buildup on the inner walls of the pipe, ultimately constricting water flow. Similarly, dented pipes and reduce or completely stop the water flow.
If you’ve already ruled out a physical clog and nothing is captured in your p-trap, you may have pipe damage. Even worn pipe joints can come apart and block water flow. All pipes get old over time, and when they do, they begin to corrode and break down. Unfortunately, the only option for this type of bathroom sink clog is to install replacement pipes under your sink.
Find Professional Solutions to Your Bathroom Sink Clogs
If you’ve noticed your bathroom sink draining more slowly or not draining at all, it’s likely you have a stubborn clog preventing water flow. There are many culprits for clogged bathroom drains. Hair, soap scum, p-traps, and damaged pipes are only a few. The good news is these clogs are usually easy to fix once the problem is diagnosed.
If you’re struggling to unclog your bathroom drain, we’re here to help. Our licensed and insured Master Plumbers can find the source of the problem and provide you with an affordable and fast solution. Give us a call now to schedule an appointment for bathroom sink plumbing.
