Unraveling the Mystery of Clogged Sinks: A Comprehensive Guide
Introduction
You are a homeowner trying to understand why your bathroom sink is clogged. It is usually a frustrating experience and really seems like a mystery.
You are already aware that the substances that go through your sink include water, soap, and toothpaste. So why is the water clogged in the sink?
As a professional plumber, I hear this kind of complaint all the time. I will share four reasons why your sink is clogged and hot to fix this frustrating plumbing issue.
4 causes of clogged sinks
Hair
One of the most likely reasons your sink, particularly the one in your bathroom, is clogged is due to the presence of hair.
When your hair goes down the drain, the pipe walls clutch on these clumps as they float gradually. Also, as the hair is subjected to a lot of water pressure, it forms a tighter clump. Wet hair gets entangled with more wet hair, and this continues till the debris blocks the flow of water in the pipe. This means it blocks the flow of anything going through the drain.
A big misconception about hair in the drain is that only certain kinds of hair are responsible for clogs. But that is false. Whether it is facial hair or pet fur, it can clog your sink or drain. Irrespective of the fine or tiny nature of the hair, they will clutch to the pipe while going through it.
I recommend that you use a drain strainer, as it is a fast and easy solution to a blocked bathroom sink, and it will stop hair from getting stuck in your drain.
Your P-Trap is Clogged
Another cause of clogged sinks, particularly in bathrooms, is the blocked p-trap.
This important component of your bathroom sink can be identified by the u-shaped part of the draining pipe. It effectively limits sewer gases and stench from getting into your home via the drain.
The P-trap also retains water, which is important for clearing the drain. However, a significant problem is that other items may get stuck at P-traps. which is a likely reason for your clogged sink.
Common items that can get stuck in the p-trap include bits of soap, earrings and even grease. They can cause a blockage in your drain.
The good news is that you can take out your p-traps from your sink without hassle. Next, you can get rid of the clog by washing out the dirt to solve the problem. Always remember to keep a bucket below during the process of removing the P-trap!
Soap scum
The accumulation of soap scum can cause clogging in the sink drain, making water difficult to pass through. Soap scum takes place when the soap chemicals interact with the magnesium ions and calcium found in the water. This produces a powdery residue that sticks to the pipe walls and accumulates as time goes on.
Similar to hair, this substance with a chalky texture can block liquid from passing through, forming a blockage. This can be an annoying situation due to its gooey and gummy nature. If you do not use a snake or similar tool, removing the soap scum buildup from your drain might not be an easy task.
Another way soap can cause clogs is through water softener. Although this doesn't happen often. For instance, if you rinse down a large volume of soap through your drain, it can stick firmly to your drain and start to accumulate. A larger quantity of soap can block the P-trap.
In fact, soaps with harsh chemicals can even cause the pipe to deteriorate, causing rust or corrosion. One way you can get rid of soap scum is to empty a bucket of hot water down the drain.
Damaged pipes
Another cause of the clogged sink is damaged pipes. This happens whenever pipes rust; corrosion can accumulate on the drains to obstruct the flow of water. Even pipes can deteriorate or be fully decoupled, which can prevent water from flowing.
It is inevitable that some degree of pipe damage will happen. Pipes are subject to wear as they age, and then they begin to corrode, leading to blockage.
To rectify this issue, you have to replace your pipes.
