Clogged Bathroom Sink Causes and Solutions

Being a homeowner entails a great many responsibilities, some of which you may not even consider until they arise. For instance, a clogged bathroom sink in Chicago is a serious issue that needs to be addressed as quickly as possible. In many cases, you may not even realize that trouble is on the horizon. Then, you go to brush your teeth one morning and realize that the water will not drain from your sink.

When this occurs, it is very important that you contact a Chicago plumbing contractor immediately. Arrange an appointment and ask if there are any precautions you should take while waiting. For instance, if the clog is causing a small leak under your sink, you should place a container there to collect the dirty water.

Throughout the Windy Cit area, we have been providing professional plumbing services to residential and commercial customers for years, with high rates of satisfaction and return customers. That is because our specialists are trained to identify and rectify problems as efficiently as possible. If you have a clogged bathroom sink, it is likely due to one of the following three causes:

Clear Clogged Drain Hair

Unfortunately, hair is a common culprit in both stopped-up bathroom sinks and showers. Men, women and children all groom and style their hair in the bathroom, often directly over the sink. Because it is natural for everyone to lose a hundred or more hairs each day, many of these will find their way down the bathroom drain. Added to that, men shave at the sink regularly and many people choose to cut or trim their hair over the sink.

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These hairs get trapped on the drain plug and in the pipe bends. Over time, if they are not flushed out, they will accumulate and begin to trap other debris and grow slime, creating a dense and unpleasant clog in the bathroom sink drain.

Things Falling Into the Sink Drain

Even those who have avoided the accumulation of hair in their drains may end up with clogs due to foreign objects finding their way down the drain. If you do not have a proper cover for the drain pipe, this is even more likely to happen. Homes with children often experience this challenge, because youngsters are obsessed with object permanence and how various parts of the world relate to each other.

This can lead to an array of items being dropped or shoved down the drain. Everything from marbles to doll heads can be squished into the pipes. Homework with a bad grade or a broken item may also find their way on a trip down the drain. Our experts can not only determine what items are causing the clog, we will take steps to ensure that they are removed safely, without damaging your pipes.

Soap, Dirt and Grime

The third most common cause for clogged bathroom sinks is the accumulation of grime along the drain pipe walls. Most commercial soaps leave a residue on items they touch, as you may remember from the old commercial that depicted soap scum on shower walls. Likewise, dirt and other grime are likely to stick to these surfaces.

The three combined can create quite the dense, sticky mess that clogs your drain over time. Every time someone washes their hands or face in the bathroom sink, remnants of their cleansing efforts stick to the drain. This may be particles of makeup, mechanical dirt and grime, or even clay from a playground.

If these minute particles become entrenched in hair that is already accumulating in the drain, it can exacerbate the problem tremendously. The drain is likely to clog even more quickly when a variety of substances are going through it each day.

Whether you are experiencing a clogged drain right now, or are concerned because one or more of yours are sluggish, you should contact your Chicago area plumber today. Arrange for a consultation so that you can have your plumbing needs assessed and a plan developed to ensure that all of the piping in your home is operating smoothly and efficiently. Then, you will have a dependable contractor who is familiar with your home and able to help you rapidly should an emergency need arise.