Does anyone know what I can use to clear a sink drain in a house with a septic tank?

Question

Everytime my boyfriend shaves or I clean the bathroom sink and now even running water I have to plunge it for it to clear of water.

Answer 1

I have a septic tank too and know all about that man hair!!

I boil a little water (2 cups) on the stove and immediately pour it down the sink. Then I follow that with a cup and a half of bleach. Let it sit (don't run any water) for a couple of hours.

Use Peroxide Bleach (non-chlorine)

Answer 2

This is a common problem. The soap scum and hair debris cause quite a plug. Usually the problem is just under the drain and before the trap. If your drain has a pop-up it has limited run-off capabilities because of the rod that dissects the drain. Make sure the pop-up will open as high as possible, rinse well with hot water for a minute or so, and spray or pour a cleaner that cuts soap scum down the drain once a week or so. You won't need to pour a lot since the clog is close. The more it becomes clogged the longer the cleaner will work on the clog. If it gets too bad run a long pipe cleaner in and out of the drain (don't let go) and flush with hot water. If the continues to run slow take off the p-trap and clean everything you can reach with a bottle brush. Oh, he could switch to an electric razor

Answer 3

Since this one sink seems to be the only problem, it is not likely the septic is backing up. The tub would be the first place you would notice that. Remove the trap in the drainpipe under the sink and clean it out. You can buy a cheap snake at Home Centers and clean out the pipe in the wall. If you need to use a chemical, use an enzyme drain cleaner such as Draincare by Zep. Enzyme cleaners cling to and eat organic clogs. Caustic chemicals eat a hole in the clog and then run down the pipe, leaving a partial clog to start rebuilding. Enzyme cleaners are safe for septic systems because they work the same way as the septic. Follow the label directions.

Answer 4

Your tank does not need to be pumped. If it was all of the drains them maybe, but just one.... then it's just the one drain that has the problem.
The problem is hair caught in the drain. and the only sure way to clear it is to disassemble and reassemble the drain from the pop up to the p-trap. I've used the hot water and bleach and sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't. Bleach will kill those good bacteria in your septic system so use it moderately.

Answer 5

It sounds like your tank needs to be pumped. You can use draino but you will want to pour some (bugs) into your system. It is the good bacteria that helps keep your system going. You can buy bugs at Home Depot or most plumbing places carry it. Just ask for septic system liquid bugs and they will show you what they have available to them.
You can also use what they call a snake and run that down the pipes it will help with serious clogs and clear it out where as draino and such products can't handle things like wash rags and such.
If it is time to pump the tanks and you don't it can start coming up into your tub and sinks when you flush or use the tub and sinks. That is very expensive to clean up since it is bio hazard material. Much cheaper to have it pumped and they can inspect your system at the same time it could also be roots affecting the pipes.

Answer 6

one thing to remember. A septic tank is different from a sewer. Excessive use of bleach and harsh chemicals messes up the PH balance and bacteria in the septic tank that is needed for it to work properly.