We’ve all been there: watching the water puddle in the sink only to see it drip like molasses down the bathroom drain. If your bathroom sink is draining slowly, it’s likely due to buildup. A grimy bathroom sink can lead to a load of troubles, including clogs that prevent water from adequately clearing out. If this is you, it’s time to clean your clogged bathroom sink.
A common misconception homeowners have while cleaning their sink drains is that they need the harshest chemicals on the market. While these can be helpful to dislodge gunk and unclog a blocked drain, there’s no need to use these first. Instead, take a look at the best ways to clean a grimy or clogged drain in your Minneapolis home.
Signs its time to clean your bathroom sink drain:
Generally, a dirty sink doesn’t show up out of nowhere. However, there are tell-tale signs that your bathroom sink drain needs some TLC. If you notice any of these things coming from your drain, it’s time to take action:
- Soap scum buildup – While you might think hand soap is doing light cleaning itself, it’s actually taking a toll on your sink. The mixture of hard water and surfactants accumulates as white or grey spots over months or years, so it likely won’t go away with a simple surface cleaner.
- Foul smells – If your sink stinks, it probably indicates bacteria is growing there. A damp and warm pipe is a breeding ground for germs, but a light cleaning can immediately remove unpleasant smells.
- Black gunk – This mysterious black gunk in your sink drain is a sure sign that it needs some serious cleaning. This debris can be a mixture of several things, including soap, bacteria, dead skin cells, toothpaste, and more. Black sludge in your sink clearly indicates that your sink isn’t properly cleaned.
- Flies – If drain flies are attracted to your sink, it likely means standing water is in the drains. Stagnant water can be caused by many reasons, but it’s most likely a sink clog from hair or debris and will likely need to be snaked out.
- Gurgling sounds – If your sink is backed up with bubbling sounds, it needs to be cleaned out. Drain gurgles are a sign that air can’t properly escape the drain passageways, so they must be cleaned thoroughly.
Step 1: Pour boiling water down the drain.
A no-cost cleaning solution to a clogged bathroom sink is pouring a pot of boiling water down the drain. This should be the first step in solving the problem because it’s free, quick, and safe. In addition, this first step will loosen some built-up materials, such as that black gunk in your sink, making it easier to remove more resistant buildup later.
Generally, pouring boiling water down the drain is safe for the sink. However, some sink materials, like porcelain, can crack under high heat. Plus, if you have PVC pipes, the adhesive can wear down over time when in contact with hot water. So if you’re hesitant, moving to step two is best.
Step 2: Clean with a gentle baking soda and vinegar solution.
Sometimes, all your sink will need is a light cleaning, so why not get the supplies right out of your kitchen cabinet? With only a couple of dollars and ten minutes, you can make an affordable, non-toxic cleaning solution. A combination of baking soda and vinegar can dissolve harder-to-budge buildup in no time.
Cleaning with vinegar and baking soda works wonders due to their chemical properties. The acidic vinegar breaks down the baking soda to release carbon dioxide, which produces tiny bubbles that lift away grime. First, pour a cup of baking soda into the sink, followed by a cup of vinegar. After this sits to bubble and break down buildup, pour another pot of hot water to clear away the solution.
Step 3: Unclog any blockages manually.
If cleaning solutions don’t do the trick, you might have to clean out blockages manually. For example, using a plunger on bathroom sinks creates a vacuum that loosens material blocking the drain passageways. This is an excellent solution to clogs because it doesn’t require digging in the pipes and potentially cause more damage. Instead, you have control from the outside of the sink.
Another manual option is to use a drain snake for hard-to-reach spaces. When used correctly, drain snakes can pull out material with ease. However, they can also compact blockages and worsen the matter, requiring the sink to be taken apart to remove the obstruction. So use a drain snake cautiously or get a local plumber to assist.
Prevention is key to avoiding bad drain blockages.
A dirty drain doesn’t appear overnight. In fact, it takes months of slow buildup to produce frustrating clogs. So instead of letting gunk accumulate over time, stop blockages in their tracks with routine light bathroom sink cleanings. Following the first step once a week can eliminate future blockages and keep your drains sparkling clean.
What if there's still a problem with my bathroom sink?
If your drain is still acting up after trying multiple cleaning methods, it may be a cause for concern. For example, the blockages may be bigger than expected or be lodged in a difficult place, such as the p-trap, the j-shaped curve in the pipe. To reduce causing any damage to your plumbing system, it’s always best to call your plumbing technicians.
While your plumbing system made of rods and metal might look hardy, it’s more sensitive than you think! Plumbers are trained to tackle bathroom drain troubles with professional tools and insight. Plus, they’ll give you peace of mind that your drainage problem has finally been solved. If in doubt, we recommend hiring a plumber in Minneapolis to lend a helping hand.
Clear away drain troubles with Minneapolis plumbing services.
Tinkering with your clogged bathroom sink can be draining, so call your Minneapolis plumbing technicians instead. At Mike’s Custom Mechanical, we provide Twin Cities homeowners with world-class plumbing and HVAC services. Call us at (763) 568-7148 or contact us here to learn more about how our team can help today.
