Can the overflow drain of a sink plug up and cause the water in the basin to go out very slowly?

Question

I've taken apart the U at the bottom of the drain, after running cleaning chemicals through it. It is absolutely clean. I did NOT clean beyond that point with a snake. Sink drains wonderfully if water doesn't come in too fast, but almost stops once drain hole is covered to any degree.

Answer 1

I would suggest that you remove the trap and snake the line to eliminate any possible obstructions. If there are none, then what you are describing is a sink drain with no vent. Air is needed to aid in draining the water from the sink. If there is an elbow behind the wall and the drain pipe comes up from below, you could remove the sink, open the wall, cut out the elbow and replace it with a tee. Run a short section of pipe from the tee up above the rim height of the sink and install an auto vent. That will help with your problem.

Answer 2

I'm not sure where Tim works, but have any of you ever tried to put a plunger over the overflow holes in a sink? Seems like asking for trouble. Does your kitchen sink have an overflow, does your laundry sink?, not normally, and unless the section of drain that they are hooked to has a plugged vent pipe, which is most likely the problem with the lav sink, then they usually drain quite well, not withstanding the possibility of a plug in the trap, which you say you've checked. There's a distinct possibility that something, (leaves, a rodent, bird, some small animal or other), has become trapped in one of the vent pipes coming out of the roof. If that happens, it's like putting your finger over the top of a straw, the air can't get in, the water doesn't want to flow out. You may need a plumber to determine which line it is, you may be able to get a garden hose up there and push it down the pipe to dislodge the plug yourself. I've changed hundreds of lav sinks with overflows and practically every one was plugged, not at the holes, but where the water channel runs into the tailpiece. The crud really builds up there.

Answer 3

Yes the overflow being stopped up will cause it to drain slowly. What we do at the motel where I work is get the water running fast and fill the sink about 1/2 full then start plunging, after several times it should start loosening up and get the gunk out of it. Clean all you can out of it and try it again to see if it drains better. If that doesn't clear it up, fill it on up to the overflow and put the plunger over the overflow hole and start plunging there.

Answer 4

If it is plugged it will drain slower, but I have never seen one get plugged. In most cases it is hair caught in the pop-up assembly (under the stopper) or build up in the trap. You ruled out the trap, so check the pop up. There is a nut around the lever for the stopper under your sink. Unscrew the lever and pull it out, If it was hair it will fall off the lever when you remove it and flush on through when you run water,then pull the stopper out. put the lever and nut back in and see if it still backed up. If it is you will need to get the drain cleaned out. Fyi for the above answer. If there is no vent in the wall it would have always had a draining problem/airlock. Studor vents in the wall are illegal by the way

Answer 5

Yes it can, the over flow lets air in to help the water run away, this can be demonstrated by filling a plastic bottle with water and put a small hole in the bottom and turning it upside down without the cap on it, the water will run way slowly and gurgle if you put your finger over the hole, as soon as you remove your finger the water will run away quite fast.
Try this and you will be convinced, so make sure the over flow is clear.

Answer 6

i'm no longer attentive to those products which you have stated. i assume that they are acid-base to or enzyme based. subsequently the skunk like scent. by way of fact water flows downhill greater effective than in all probability the plug is greater close to to the drain holes that are interior the main well liked drain section. slightly below your pop up. it particularly is the place i might use your coat hanger or i've got extensively utilized a set of docs forceps