As a fixture that sees many household messes every day, your bathroom sink will require some upkeep to stay in tip-top shape. To learn how to unclog your old bathroom sink and how to fix your sink, read our guide.

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How to Unblock a Bathroom Sink

If you’re wondering why your sink isn’t draining, it could be down to your sink clogging. There are a couple of easy ways to remove the buildup, from physical methods to more chemical-based techniques.
But before trying any of the following methods, you should first pull the pop-up stopper out of the drain. If it isn’t coming out, you may have to unscrew the pivot nut and pull the pivot rod out to release it. To test whether any of these methods have successfully unclogged your sink, simply run the water.

Physical Methods

Use a Small Hook for Shallow Blockages

If the clog is lodged on the pivot rod under your drain’s pop-up stopper, you can try using a small hook to remove it. Thread a hook (a paperclip or other wire or even your fingers) a couple of centimetres down the drain and try to snag the blockage.

Use a Plumber’s Snake for Deep Clogs

If you aren’t pulling anything up with the small hook, the blockage might be farther down the drain. Thread a plumber’s snake or large hook (like a hanger wire) down the sink drain and rotate it to try and dislodge or snag the clog. Pull the snake or hook out to check.

If you still can’t reach the blockage, you’ll have to disassemble the plumbing a bit. First, place a bucket beneath the sink’s plumbing to catch any water. Disconnect the water supply by turning the shut-off valves behind the sink. Then, detach the P trap from the tailpiece and trap assembly by loosening the nuts holding it in place with a wrench.

Thread a plumber’s snake or large hook through the P trap to see if the clog is in there. If not, you can also thread a plumber’s snake (never a wire of any kind) into the waste pipe in your wall to check if the clog is there.

Use a Plunger

Fill your sink with about 2cm of water and cover the overflow hole. Place a specially sized sink plunger or a thoroughly cleaned toilet plunger over the drain and create a suction seal. Then, plunge away. Between plunging sessions, use a flashlight to check if you can see the blockage in the drain. If you can, use a small hook or your fingers to remove it.

Chemical Methods

Use Baking Soda and Vinegar

Pour about 2 pints of boiling water down the drain. Once it has drained out as much as possible, remove as much water as you can from the sink and sprinkle ½ cup to 1 cup of baking soda into the drain. Add the same amount of coarse salt. Finally, pour the same amount of white vinegar into the drain and cover with a cloth. Let the chemical reaction occur for 10 – 30 minutes, remove the cloth, then pour another 2 pints of boiling water down the drain to clear it out.

Use Chemical Drain Cleaner

Chemical drain cleaners are easy to use, but are harsh and can be corrosive and irritating to skin and eyes. They aren’t recommended for use around children. If you’re using chemical drain cleaner, follow the instructions on the bottle and avoid plunging after use – it can splash the chemicals.

How to Fix a Bathroom Sink

If you think there’s something wrong with your sink’s plumbing, you don't actually need to call a plumber immediately.

If the lift rod isn’t properly opening or closing your sink’s drain, check the drain assembly. Pull out the pop-up stopper, unscrew the pivot nut and remove the pivot rod. Make sure those parts, as well as the clevis strap and spring clip are all in the right position, intact and clean. If not, you may need to clean or replace them.

If your plumbing is leaky, you’ll need to disassemble it to assess whether you’ll need to replace any parts. First, turn off the water supply using the shut-off valves. Check the tap handles to ensure the water is off. Using a large wrench, unscrew the nuts holding the trap assembly to the waste pipe in your wall and to the tailpiece. Check the condition of the trap assembly, waste pipe and tailpiece.

You can keep going, using a wrench to unscrew the nuts holding the tailpiece to the tailpiece mount and the tailpiece mount to the pop-up flange. If any part seems cracked, corroded or otherwise damaged, you’ll need to replace it. Check the water supply lines and the tap supply lines for damage as well. If the tap or tap handles are rusted or damaged, you’ll want to replace those.

If you can’t seem to find the problem on your own, we recommend consulting a professional. If your sink basin itself is cracked or chipped, it might be time for a new one.

Tip: Why stop your journey into bathroom sinks here? Check out:

• Every Bathroom Sink Style, Explained
• This is How to Remove and Install a Bathroom Sink
• How to Find the Perfect Bathroom Taps for Your Home