Clogged bathroom sinks are one of the most common bathroom plumbing issues.
If there’s one room in your home that you don’t want to have out of commission, it’s the bathroom. You can get by with a few days of not having access to other areas of your home, like a living room or bedroom – but there is no substitute for the bathroom. And as far as plumbing issues in the bathroom go, the location of the issue plays as significant a role in determining severity. For instance, a drip is less catastrophic (though still an issue that should be addressed by a professional) than a clog, and a clog in a sink is less potentially catastrophic than a clog in a toilet. Continue reading to identify three common causes of a clogged bathroom sink and how to handle them if they occur.
Pipe Damage
Let’s jump into the worst potential problem first: damaged pipes. Often when a pipe is visibly damaged – crushed, sagging, bent – this needs to be addressed by a professional plumber to replace the pipes. Even if there is no visible damage to the pipe’s exterior, there could be damage to the pipe’s interior, causing some backup. If the other possible explanations below don’t fix the problem, this could be the answer.
Hair
Hair is the single most common thing that backs up sinks and tubs or showers in the bathroom. We constantly shed hair, especially when we are brushing or washing it. Even just one strand can catch and quickly start to clump up with other stuff like soap scum, dirt, and toothpaste. It is incredibly easy for hair to cause a sink clog. Most plumbers don’t recommend drain cleaners because the harsh chemicals are bad for pipes, but physical tools, like a snake, can often help clear drains if the clog is caught early.
Lodged Objects
Most bathroom sinks have a p-trap installed to help rescue things that drop down the drain. However, items can fall in without you realizing and become a clog as they build up with gunk. Consider checking your p-trap to make sure there isn’t a ring or a coin that has fallen in and caused the issue.
A RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL PLUMBING COMPANY YOU CAN TRUST
Alpha Plumbing is a full-service plumbing and contracting company serving the Baltimore and Annapolis metro area with expertise in all aspects of plumbing. We’ve been family-owned and operated since 1991 from our office in Pasadena. We offer quality plumbing services at reasonable rates in a timely fashion. Our trucks are equipped with GPS systems to ensure we’re prompt and on time. No job is too large or too small! We maintain a fleet of well-stocked trucks and also own and operate our own backhoes for jobs requiring excavation.
For more information and to get a free no-obligation estimate, you can contact us on our website, send us an e-mail, or give us a call at (410) 255-5998.