Clogged or slow draining drains – trouble shooting tip

A clogged or slow-draining drain is generally a resident’s responsibility. Unless the blockage is due to a pipe collapse or structural issue, this will be a tenant charge; therefore, please try these troubleshooting tips below to keep costs down for you and the owner.

How to Unclog a Bathroom Sink Drain – Video

Note – Before clearing the blockage, please check for leaks under the sink. Standing water in a drain line is sometimes when a small leak will appear.

Slow draining drains – Troubleshooting.

• Try Baking Soda and White Vinegar: Mix 1/3 cup of vinegar and 1/3 cup of baking soda, then pour the mixture into the clogged drain. Wait an hour, then flush it away. The fizzing reaction of these two ingredients helps remove grime and blockage.
• Baking Soda and Salt Method: The baking soda and salt method is similar to the baking soda and vinegar version but can sometimes be more effective. Mix ½ cup of each substance, then pour it into the drain to fix the clogged sink. Wait fifteen minutes, then pour hot water down the drain. Altogether, these three steps should unclog the stubborn blockage.
• Use a wet/dry vac: Wet and dry vacuums work wonders for stubborn clogs. Set your vacuum to the highest liquid settings and let your vacuum do the rest of the work. The vacuum’s strong suction is typically strong enough to unclog the drain.
• Use Draino or a similar product a follow the instructions on the container.

Fully clogged drains – Troubleshooting

• Try applying a plunger:  All you have to do is fill your sink or tub with about three inches of water, form a tight seal around the drain entrance with your plunger, and push back and forth rhythmically. Make sure to tape off the overflow vents in your sink before plunging. Continue this for about a half-minute to one minute and at a steady pace; this builds air pressure in your drain pipes with every individual push, which can effectively dismantle most clogged materials. Additionally, specialized sink plungers are made specifically for these applications, which can be found at your local home improvement store for an affordable price, making them a tool easily worth the investment.

Please let us know if you can clear the drain or need further assistance so we can schedule a plumber.