Bathroom sink blocked? Here's what to do

By Benjamin Clarke | Published on 24th May 2022

Our bathroom sink takes a hammering multiple times day, so it's no surprise that from time to time the plughole gets blocked and needs unclogging.

Lots of stuff gets washed down the bathroom sink, including hair, make-up, moisturiser, toothpaste, dirt and dust and eventually this can get caught up in the drainage pipe beneath the plug and stop water from draining away. This can be frustrating, particularly if you are in a rush, and can be unpleasant if the slow-draining water leaves behind a dirty residue on the sink.

In this article, we'll look at some simple steps you can take to unblock your sink and get the water to drain away quickly again so your bathroom basin is working exactly as it should be.

Tools you'll need

If performing a DIY task, it always helps to have the right tools to hand. Below are some things you can use to make the job of unblocking your bathroom sink easier. If you don't have them already, they are items that you can easily get hold of.

Plunger
Bucket or washing up bowl
Cloth or rag
Rubber gloves
Soda crystals
White vinegar
Baking soda
Log-handled dish brush

Unblocking your sink

Unscrew the plughole/waste and use dish brush to clear out as much dirt and grime as you can.
Run the tap so that there is about an inch of water in the sink. This will allow the plunger to get some purchase.
If necessary, block up the waste overflow with the cloth or rag to stop the water escaping.
Place the plunger over the plughole. The inch of water in the basin should ensure there is a nice airtight seal.
Push and pull the plunger up and down several times to try and dislodge any blockages in the drainage pipe. If successful, you may get some horrible hair, skin and dirt clumps coming up into the sink. Prevent these from falling back down the plug hole and dispose of them.
If the water still won't drain freely then pour some baking soda down the plughole and immediately follow it with a cup of white vinegar. This will cause some fizzing and you should leave it for a few minutes before washing it away with some warm water.
Alternatively, boil some water and pour it onto half a packet of soda crystals. Tip this mixture down the sink, leave for a few minutes and wash away with warm water.

Unblock the u-bend

If the blockage has not been shifted by the methods above then the next step to try would be removing the u-bend. This is not a particularly difficult job but if you don't feel comfortable doing this then it's time to call in a plumber to resolve the issue properly.

If you do feel removing and unclogging the u-bend is within your capabilities then you can follow the steps below.

Take your bucket or bowl and place it under the basin to catch any escaping water
Locate where the u-bend meets the bottom of the sink and unscrew it
Allow the water to drip into the bucket
Once the dripping stops, pull the u-bend away from the sink and examine it
Poke your long-handled dish brush into the u-bend and wiggle it around to dislodge any blockages. Look closely inside to see if it appears clear from debris
Connect the u-bend back up and gently run the tap to check for any leaks
If there's no leaks, run the tap harder and see if the water is draining quickly down the plug hole

If the problem persists then you can be certain that you've tried everything you can and it's time to call in a professional to look at the problem in more detail.

Quality bath wastes and overflows

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