Cleaning hair and accumulated gunk buildup from sink drains has to be one of the worst maintenance projects. It’s one of those things that no homeowner wants to deal with, and unfortunately, we all tend to wait until we have a sink that won’t drain before we act.
A sink drain stopper clogged with hair and gunk
The good thing is that this maintenance project can be relatively simple if you act on it with some regularity before it becomes a huge issue. Occasionally, the clog may result in slow draining and gurgling when your sink drains.
Cleaning and maintenance options for Sink Drains
Luckily, we have a few options for removing hair from your sink drain, with some working better than others. The best approach is to try to inspect what you are up against and take an approach that works for you.
Vinegar and baking soda
This approach will help to loosen the hair in the clog and help to soften and dissolve the built-up gunk in your sink drain. Create a mixture of one tablespoon of dish soap and a cup of vinegar. Pour a cup of baking soda into your sink drain. Slowly pour the soap and vinegar mixture into the sink drain and let it sit for at least 5 minutes, letting the chemical reaction do its work. While you are waiting, bring about half a gallon of water to a boil on the stove. Pour the hot water down the sink drain. This will usually push most of the loosened-up gunk down the drain. You may need to use a plunger if the water alone doesn’t get the hair and gunk out.
Tweezers
If you can, remove the drain plug from your sink. Sometimes, they can be lifted out, and sometimes they must be decoupled from the open/closed stem. Use tweezers or needle nose pliers to try and get a hold of the hair clog. Sometimes you can remove the whole clog, and sometimes you need to pull it out a little bit at a time. Check your progress with a flashlight. Once you think everything is removed, you can rinse the drain with boiling water to remove any remaining clog. Replace your drain plug when finished.
Plumbing Snake for Sink Drains
If you have access to a small plumber snake, this may do the trick for you in cleaning out the sink drain. If not, several options are available for more minor and/or disposable plastic drain and hair snakes at your local hardware or big box store.
Removing hair and clogs from a sink drain with a plastic snake tool
Disassemble the drain
If all else fails, you may have to disassemble the drain and sink trap underneath the sink to remove the clog. You can do an inspection of the insides by disassembling the drain and determining what is clogging it. Make sure to wear rubber gloves if you have previously tried using any drain cleaner to remove your sink clog or other disgusting residue.
Disassembled drain assembly and hair clog
Preventing and minimizing future clogs in Sink Drains
The best method for trapping hair before it becomes clogged in your sink is to have a drain screen. There are many options available, and some work better than others. You will have to determine what works best for you and your family. These screens can either go over or be inserted into the drain.
Using a drain screen traps hair before it gets clogged in the sink drain.
Summary
If this project is more than you can handle, you should hire a plumber to resolve your issue. A plumber may cost anywhere from $100 to $300 to clean out your clogged drain. If you tackle this yourself, you may get by for between $20 and $100. Remember that there are videos online that you can watch to see how this is done and if you want to do it yourself.
At HomePro Inspections, our home inspectors are trained to inspect all areas of the home. We check all sinks and shower drains to confirm they are draining correctly. Any issues found are documented in your home inspection report and recommended for resolution by a qualified professional.
Visit our website to learn more or to schedule your home inspection in the Rochester, Owatonna, and Faribault, MN areas. You can contact us today at (507) 202-8942 or use our online “Schedule Now” feature to schedule an appointment.