
One of the most undesirable home maintenance projects is getting hair and gook build-up removed from your sink drains. No homeowner wants to deal with the process of removing hair and other gross build-ups from the sink drain lines. Luckily, this maintenance project can be fairly simplistic. How to get hair out of sink drain? Use baking soda and vinegar to loosen the hair before plunging it out or try some other options.
Let’s take a look at what the best options are for removing hair from a sink drain.
What Are My Options
Believe it or not, there are a few options when it comes to removing hair from a sink drain. Some options work better than others. In any case, you can choose what will work for your sink drain. Let’s take a look below at the suggested ways to remove hair from your sink drain.
- Baking soda and vinegar – add a little dish soap and then a cup of vinegar and a cup of baking soda to your sink drain. Then wait approximately 5 minutes for the chemical reaction to do its job. This will loosen the hair and clog. Next, you will pour boiling water down the sink drain to push the loosened build-up through the drain pipe. Use a cup plunger to get any remaining hair out.
- Tweezers – remove your drain plug from the sink drain. Use a pair of needles nose pliers or long tweezers and stick them into the drain to grab ahold of the hair clog. Pull up once you feel you have a grip on the hair. Once you have pulled a good amount out, use a flashlight to see if anything is left in the clogged sink drain. Rinse with boiling water and replace your sink drain plug.
- Snaking device – use a zip-it tool or a cheap disposable wire to snake through the drain line. These tools can grab a hold of any excess hair and pull it through. Once you have pulled up all of the hair in the line, you can rinse it with baking soda, vinegar, and boiling water. This will remove the excess gook build-up from the drain pipe walls.
- Remove the whole drain – the worst-case scenario is that you will go underneath the sink and remove the plastic drain pieces. Removing the drain plug, and the p-trap will allow you to see what exactly is left in the clogged drain. Make sure to wear rubber gloves to protect your hands from any chemicals or unsanitary build-up.
How Can I Prevent This From Happening
The best way to prevent hair from getting into your sink drain is by using a drain stopper system. There are a variety of inventions that you could purchase at your local hardware store. The part goes into the drain hole and only allows water to go through to the drain pipe.
How Much Does It Cost
Depending on what is needed, your local plumber will charge between $100 and $250 to snake and clean out your clogged drain. If you are a homeowner who likes to complete projects on their own, you could likely get away with an expense of $10 to $100 for chemicals and or equipment.
Other Recommended Maintenance
Now that you know about hair in the drain, let’s take a look at some other areas of maintenance in the bathroom.
One of those is the toilet. If you find that the toilet is overflowing, it could be due to a clogged drain, a blocked vent pipe, or a higher float. These things can cause the toilet to overflow so check into it or call a professional.
Another area is the toilet tank. Sometimes the toilet tank can crack over time and it may need replacing. The toilet tanks are usually universal, but it is a good idea to measure the length, width, and depth to make sure that it fits. You also have a choice of different styles and might want to change from what you had to another kind.
Lastly, if you have a new bathroom fan, you may be told to vent it through the roof, not the attic. However, checking local building codes is best so you can find out where it should be venting.
When Do I Call A Professional
Not sure how to remove the drain plug from your bathroom sink can become an issue down the road. You will want to understand the process to keep hair and gook from building up in the sink drain. Removing the sink plug is necessary to determine if there is a clog in the drain pipes.
Call a professionally licensed master plumber to assist you with this project. Also, if you aren’t sure who to call, reach out to your local home inspection team. Not only can they conduct a scope of your plumbing system, but they can also recommend a reputable master plumber.
Conclusion
Not knowing how to unclog your sink drain can be frustrating. Call on a professionally licensed master plumbing contractor to assist. They can assist you with removing your sink drain and cleaning it properly. Also, they can recommend any replacement parts. Additionally, reach out to your local home inspection team. They can conduct a sewer scope of your sewer lines and provide you with information for the master plumber. This will save you time and money. Call on All Coast Home Inspections can help with your plumbing and home inspection needs in Houston, TX. area.