Bathroom sink slow draining

debodun

debodun

SF VIP
Location
way upstate in New York, USA
I don't know how to take out the drain stopper. In my old house, I just pulled it up. That doesn't work here. I watched a video where the guy had to disconnect some rod underneath. That may be more involved than I can handle.

 

After you remove that stopper, get a smaller plunger, plug the top overflow hole with your one hand and plunge with the other after getting a few inches of water in the basin. Most bathroom slow drains are hair clogs - plunging will bring them right up.
 
Is the stopper closed or is the water simply draining slow?

If the sink is draining slow I start with a pan of boiling water.

Wait long enough for a second pan of water to boil, plunge the sink and pour in the second pan of boiling water, plunge again, and run hot water faucet to clear the drain.

You may need to stuff a washcloth or sponge into the overflow hole in the rim of the sink to get the plunger to work.

Good luck!
 
debodun said:
I don't know how to take out the drain stopper. In my old house, I just pulled it up. That doesn't work here. I watched a video where the guy had to disconnect some rod underneath. That may be more involved than I can handle.

Click to expand...
I had the same problem. If you crawl under the sink, you will see a skinny rod that is attached to the drain plug mechanism. If you open and close the stopper from below, you will see how it works. It is easy to remove and replace afterwards.

I do the vinegar and baking soda now and then. Seems to work pretty good.
 
Michael Z said:
After you remove that stopper, get a smaller plunger, plug the top overflow hole with your one hand and plunge with the other after getting a few inches of water in the basin. Most bathroom slow drains are hair clogs - plunging will bring them right up.
Click to expand...
Sorry for the duplicate, I must have been typing while you were posting.
 
Removing the stopper is best but if you don't want to fiddle with the linkage you should be able to unscrew the metal top with the rubber o-ring, turn it counter clockwise. Once that's off you've opened up the drain throat and a plunger will do a great job of cleaning it.
 
C50 said:
Removing the stopper is best but if you don't want to fiddle with the linkage you should be able to unscrew the metal top with the rubber o-ring, turn it counter clockwise. Once that's off you've opened up the drain throat and a plunger will do a great job of cleaning it.
Click to expand...
I can't turn it in any direction. :cry:
 
I have no idea if this idea from YouTube works, but it looks easy to try:


Oh, I forgot you have the drain stopper in the way, maybe a mini plunger or one of the long toothy clog sticks would work.
 
Hard to see, but I think in this YouTube the sink has a stopper (in up position) and the plunger works ok. Do you have a little plunger? I wonder if I should buy one to have around my apartment just in case of need (I only have the toilet kind).

 
Do not panic! Try the vinegar condition again and LOTS of hot water afterwards. You have to give things time to come undone. Then an hour or two later try the plunger again.

High power drain cleaner is an option. Follow instructions!!!! Keep the bottle.

There is something in there. For me this is not a plumber on the weekend situation. Trip charges in my area are 300+ Saturday/Sunday.

Is it your house or are you renting?
 
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