debodun
SF VIP
- Location
- way upstate in New York, USA
I've been considering that - the man that helped me with my flooded basement last August.
Bathroom sink slow draining
- Thread starter debodun
- Start date
Nathan
SF VIP
- Location
- High Desert- Calif.
Go directly to the problem, which is crud(hair and stuff) blocking the sink trap. Get your Channelocks out of the toolbox, and loosen the drain nuts(red arrows) and remove the trap. Clean crud out of trap, may have to go into the straight pipe that is going into the wall.
Channel Locks
Sink drain trap
Twist the drain nuts counter-clockwise.
Channel Locks
Sink drain trap
Twist the drain nuts counter-clockwise.
I actually doubt it's anything in the trap. Her very first post showed the exact same stopper I have in my bathroom sink, that setup is a real crap trap. lol. Toothpaste and soap and hair collect at the stopper base where the linkage attaches to the white plastic finned piece and it plugs up.
It's a two minute fix, unscrew the stopper metal top, plunge it, clean the bowl, screw top back on and you're good to go. Deb said she couldn't screw the top off but she could still plunge it. I'm a firm believer in starting with the easiest possible fix, in this case nothings easier than a plunger.
Lizzie00
😎
- Location
- Down South
This is exactly what my handyman did a couple of months ago & VOILA the problem was resolved.
(For 3-4 months prior, i had been regularly doing the baking soda/vinegar thing…but while that kept the sink functional, it remained a slow‘ish drain.)
debodun
SF VIP
- Location
- way upstate in New York, USA
I don't have the tools, strength or body size to do much with the plumbing under the sink. I did try the baking soda, hot water and vinegar again. A little better - some black gunk was regurgitated. I have a feeling the stopper is blocked with it. The only thing I use that sink for is tooth brushing. Even when I shave my pits and legs, I rinse the razor in another container, then dump that in the toilet. I figure the toidy can digest it better than a sink.
mike4lorie
SF VIP
- Location
- Brockville, Ontario, Canada
Undo the trap under the counter, you will be surprised what you find in there, like soap scum, toothpaste, hair, etc... And if NO trap, then you will have to snake it...
Or a bottle of Mr. Plumber... watch your eyes, and skin
Or a bottle of Mr. Plumber... watch your eyes, and skin
Veronica
Head Shenanigator
- Location
- Eastern Midwestern Female
Try one of these first. Its called a Zip It. Its a mini plastic snake with teeth. You dont have to take anything apart. And no chemicals involved.
You just shove it in and the teeth will grab on to the gunk. It might be hard to pull back out but just wiggle it and it will come out.
FYI. Some nasty black stuff will come out so be prepared. Wear gloves if youre squeamish.
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You just shove it in and the teeth will grab on to the gunk. It might be hard to pull back out but just wiggle it and it will come out.
FYI. Some nasty black stuff will come out so be prepared. Wear gloves if youre squeamish.
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Knight
Well-known Member
@Nathan That is the best advice. Even if Deb is unable to physically do that.
For me I wouldn't lossen the collar that goes into straight section. Only the two that hold the sink trap in place. I'd also put a pan under the trap to catch any residual water. Latex gloves optional since that goop will contain bacteria. Another tip is to clean out that goop over the toilet so you can flush it.
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papa tiger
Well-known Member
It's most likely hair caught in it. Remove the elbow in the drain pipe and pull the hair out, then clean the elbow / trap.
you may need new seals. If its metal you probably need a new one. Most now are PSB sink traps.
The Rod slides into the actuator arm on the Stop, you need to remove it and then unscrew the actuator from the back of the trap stem.
You can then pull the plug straight out, although it may be sort of stuck with hairs.
Usually putting in a new trap is a good play. Lots of time the drain is a mess anyway so you need plumbers' putty there.
PSB sink trap - Bing
This is usually the beginning and the best ending for a nice looking sink.
you may need new seals. If its metal you probably need a new one. Most now are PSB sink traps.
The Rod slides into the actuator arm on the Stop, you need to remove it and then unscrew the actuator from the back of the trap stem.
You can then pull the plug straight out, although it may be sort of stuck with hairs.
Usually putting in a new trap is a good play. Lots of time the drain is a mess anyway so you need plumbers' putty there.
PSB sink trap - Bing
This is usually the beginning and the best ending for a nice looking sink.
debodun
SF VIP
- Location
- way upstate in New York, USA
It's difficult for me to get under the sink because it has two doors separated by a thick board. I don't know how any adult could get in there. Also an actual photo of the "guts".
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Twostep
Well-known Member
- Location
- Tiny town Oklahoma, OK
Time to call the gentleman and use the honey method. You can do it.
Plase call the gentleman who helped out in the past. It will hopefullly be a five minute job for him. lean everything out in time before he is due to arrive.
Knight
Well-known Member
I'm more of a once and done kind of DIY guy.
For sure removing & cleaning the trap is quick & easy. Since it made of PVC replacing it isn't necessary. The tips of putting a pan under it to catch the water that is trapped, latex gloves to avoid bateria & dumping the mess in the toilet saves clean up.
From the pics it looks like the rod the moves the stopper up & down is made of metal. Over time the rod at the ball end becomes corroded & deteriorates to the point of breaking off. The means getting back under the sink, removing the trap then replacing the stopper assembly.
https://www.zoro.com/zoro-select-brass-pop-up-drain-pop-up-assembly-10901/i/G4755928/
Brass, Pop-Up Drain, Pop-Up Assembly
Mfr #
10901
Zoro #
G4755928
product price:$16.15
same thing at Lowes
$14.50
Only additional tip would be to have pillows or blanket to be a buffer against the lip of the cabinet. Saves pressure on the rib cage.
Remy
Well-known Member
- Location
- California, USA
I bought a small hand plunger at the Grocery Outlet a few years ago. I think it was $3.99. Didn't have much faith in it but it had helped with the bathtub. Last week, I used it and it pulled up a bunch of hair I could grab and pull out of the drain. Gross yes, the tub is now freely draining.
debodun
SF VIP
- Location
- way upstate in New York, USA
I finally got around to exploring my drain. I took out the clip that holds the drain stopper in place and removed it. The stopper itself actually didn't look that bad, but the drain as far as I could see was filled with brown slimy gunk, likely a build-up of toothpaste (from tooth brushing) and cornstarch (rinsing my hands after applying bath powder). A treatment with baking soda and vinegar helped. The tough part was getting the stopper and lever back together and screwing them back in place. It's not perfect - just better.
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