Most of us avoid thinking about the things that flow into our bathroom sinks – until it’s too late. Never fear, though! It’s easy to clear blockages once they form, and to prevent them in the first place.

Want to keep your bathroom sink’s drain clear and flowing freely? Here’s what you need to know.

How Do I Keep My Bathroom Drains Clear?

To prevent a blockage before it starts, it helps to run your water regularly. Run hot water down your drain for about thirty uninterrupted seconds once a week to test for a blockage and to help clear one away before it forms.

If you want to go above and beyond, all you need is a little bit of table salt – about one tablespoon – and plain white vinegar, one of our favorite products for the bathroom. Just put the tablespoon of salt down the drain, then slowly pour in a quarter-cup of the vinegar. Let this mixture sit for an hour or so, then run your hot water to clear away the salt.

How Do I Open Up A Clogged Drain?

There are a few methods to clear away moderate clogs without having to resort to hazardous chemicals, which we strongly advise against.

Instead, clear up a clog the natural way with baking soda and vinegar.  Put about one half-cup of baking soda into the drain, then slowly add a half-cup of vinegar. This acid/basic reaction (think a junior high science fair volcano) will quickly foam up, loosening the clog so that you can simply wash it away. 

Most blockages can also be cleared up with a plunger. Put two or three inches of water in the sink, then place your cup plunger directly over the drain and plunge up and down several times. If the water drains away once you remove the plunger, you’ve loosened the clog.

If all else fails, you may also consider using a drain auger.  Just slip the auger - a long, coiled wire with a small metal hook – into the sink drain, turning it as you feed it. The auger will either force a hole through the blockage or hook into it, letting you pull it out. Once you’ve cleared the blockage, make sure you run the water to clear away any residue that may be sticking to the area.

Have any more questions about handling stubborn clogs? Have an issue that you just can’t tackle on your own? Day or night, our team is here and happy to help! Feel free to drop us a line with all of your plumbing needs today.