How can I keep my bathroom sink draining? We do not use this sink for washing hair, but it still clogs.?

Question

The clog almost looks like reeeeeaaalllly thick soap scum, only it is black! I don't want to use Drano all the time, because that will eventually damage the pipes. They are plastic.

Answer 1

Probably, the black, thick soap scum is a combination of actual soap (from washing hands, face, etc.) and perhaps shaving. In any case, take the pipes off. Being plastic, this is not that hard. Once they are off, clean the inside of each with water ( I usually go outside and use the hose) and then with an old towel, run it through the pipe until it looks clean to you. Then replace the pipe.

Answer 2

First off, don't talk to a plunger before you try these simple steps: Take a plunger to the sink, to try to pump out the clog. Only do this a few times, then test. If it doesn't clear up, stop, because you don't want to jam it up more. Get a sink comb and stick it down there. Often, its hair that clogs a sink up, so what this instrument does is it will remove as much hair as it can. Afterwards, you can use simple ingredients such as 1/4 cup baking soda (pour it down the drain), and one cup vinegar. Cover the drain with a lid and then pour boiling water down it. If these steps don't work, call the plumber.

Answer 3

well the teacher has the best answer on what it is but the but solution to clean it is the following.
Tools you need:
digital camera
Plyers (Channel locks and needle nose)
Brush or cleaning rag
Bucket or something to catch water
1. Clean out everything under the sink and put a small trash can or bucket under to catch water.
2. loosen the P-trap under the sink, do not get this nasty water on you, you may have to loosen with a pair of channel lock plyers.
3. Drain the p-trap you most likely will see hair or something black hanging down (hair and everything else).
4. Use a pair of needle nose plyers to clean this out.
5. Take the P-trap outside and clean it out. Use an old brush or something to clean the inside out with.
6. Take loose the stopper.there is a clip on the side pull it out and then unscrew the arm for the stopper. pull out stopper and clean the arm.
7. Empty out the bucket or trash can and put back. Clean out the rest of the pipe and put back the stopper.make sure to line up the bottom hole on the stopper with the arm.Do Not tighten with plyers HAND TIGHTEN ONLY!
8. Put back P-trap and again ONLY HAND TIGHTEN.
This will take care of all your sink problems.
Just in case if you have difficulty you might want to take pictures with a digital camera to replace everything.

Answer 4

Baking soda, white vinegar and salt, . It will foam up pour in sink once a week. 1c baking soda 1/2 c salt a 2 cups vinegar. pour down drain, let it set for a while 5 to 10 min, rinse with hot water. It will not damage pipes. If real bad buy a plumbers snake.. good luck. Been there and done it.

Answer 5

All the previous tips sound good so far.

Here is another bit of everyday help:

After people brush their teeth, train them to run the cold water for 10 or 15 seconds on full-blast (or almost full-blast since you don't want a shower from the spray). This will push more of the sticky toothpaste foam down the drain so it doesn't contribute to a clogged pipe.

When I brush my teeth, I generally only use the water on a slow dribble. But now after I finish I run the water on high for 5 seconds or so. It's a slight waste of water, true, but still a good thing to do.

Answer 6

Had a plumber tell me to pour 1 cup of beach down the drain once a week, I do and I've never had a clogged drain. I do the toilets too.

Answer 7

Try a combo of baking soda and vinegar. Pour hot water down the drain first and then just spinkle a couple tablespoons of baking soda into it and then pour some vinegar. Let it sit for as long as you want. It usually helps our drains and gets rid of odours too. You can rinse it down with boiling water too.

Another good way is to pour a lot of dish detergent down the drain and let it sit for a half hour, then rinse with hot water.

Answer 8

Go to the hardware store and purchase a snake. We finally bought one and we use it whenever the bathroom sink drain runs sluggishly.
It's nice to have around 'just in case'.
The snake should work.

Answer 9

It's from a mixture of hair and mucus. When they combine, it creates the "Clay-Hay" effect and causes blockage.

Answer 10

Get a plumber out to your house.