Did you know that roughly 96.3% of American homes have at least two restrooms? With bathrooms so integral to our homes, it’s crucial to know how to fix the many issues that can occur in them. How do you fix it if your bathroom sink won’t drain, but you know it isn’t clogged?
If you’re struggling with proper drainage of your restroom, we’re here to help. Read on to learn some of the reasons your pipes may fail to drain. Afterward, we’ll discuss how you can fix these troublesome issues.
Reasons for Failure to Drain
Our first thought when a drain won’t flow is a clog, but what if you’re sure that isn’t the issue? Here are some of the other common causes that may make it so your drain won’t flow.
Failure of Sewer Line
One common reason for your drain not flowing properly is a failure of the sewer line – this is something that can occur beyond your control, meaning it’s also often beyond your prevention!
For example, bad weather can cause issues with the sewer line. Areas on the southeast coast of the United States, like Florida frequently have problems due to hurricanes and tropical storms. Surges of water in the drainage system cause sewers to back up, which can make drains fail to flow.
You also could have a failure that you did cause – this could occur when you wash away things down the drain that shouldn’t be there.
If your sewer line has failed, your best bet is to call a plumber. Let them investigate the issue and see if it’s something that can easily be fixed. If not, you may need to schedule repairs or replacements for the sewer line connecting to your property. For severe failures of the sewer line, you may need to wait for your local government to repair the issues.
Mechanical Blockage
Many different mechanical blockages can cause your bathroom sink to fail to drain. One of the first things to check is the drain cover of your sink. These covers help to stop water from flowing out of your sink and can sometimes become stuck.
This is often easy enough to spot with the naked eye. Look at the drain and see if anything is physically stopping water from going down the drain.
You also could have an issue with the internal systems of your drain. You can attempt to take your sink apart and fix the problem yourself. However, we suggest hiring a professional plumber to diagnose and solve the issue.
Airflow Problems
Many sinks need proper airflow to drain correctly. Airflow can help the water or fluid to enter and flow through the pipe. With no airflow, water can become trapped much easier and lead to faulty pipes or slow draining speeds.
A great place to check for this issue is the vent stack. Make sure that it’s properly placed and see if you can find any unexpected blockages. Ensure proper airflow to make sure that it isn’t holding your drainage systems back.
Broken Pipes
A clog is one thing, but what if there’s a broken pipe? Needless to say, water won’t flow correctly if pipes are broken.
Typically when a pipe breaks, it causes water to flow out of the pipe and into the surrounding area. However, there are ways for a pipe to break in a way that stops water from flowing.
A broken pipe may constrict airflow, which will prevent water from flowing correctly. It may also break in a way that stops water from flowing through it, effectively creating a metal clog.
There are many ways where mechanical failures can lead to broken pipes or other blockages. Ensure you’re taking care of your pipes to prevent them from experiencing damage or breakage. If you’re worried your pipes may not be in the best condition, consider calling out a plumber to have your piping is professionally inspected.
Frozen Pipes
Depending on the weather and climate near your home, there may be a blockage of a different kind. Freezing temperatures can cause your pipes to freeze over.
This is particularly common for sink pipes that frequently have water in them. This water can freeze over and clog the pipes, making them impassable. When this happens, you won’t be able to make your sink drain because there’s nowhere for the water to go!
This issue can cause considerable damage, such as bursting or cracking pipes. You can attempt to fight against this by pouring hot or warm water down your pipes to thaw them. Be careful doing so, as this can generate steam and burst the pipe!
Check Again
Clogs are common, insidious problems that aren’t always visible. You may not see a clog but still experience one.
Consider using your preferred drain cleaner to ensure the pipe is washed clean of common clogs. You should consider tools like a drain snake to remove any possible blockages. If you’ve done these tasks and the water is still failing to drain, you can confidently say that the water isn’t failing to drain due to any blockage.
How to Fix
Now that we know some of the causes, what are the fixes for these problems? If your drain won’t flow properly, there are several ways to fix the problem. Read on to learn some of the most common remedies for these issues.
Hire a Professional for the Job
The smartest thing you can do in these situations is to hire a professional plumber. Hiring someone right for the job will give you someone with the experience and know-how to fix your problem.
Bringing in a plumber can help ensure that the problem is fixed quickly and reliably. They’ll help to accurately diagnose your problem so you can see precisely what’s stopping your drains from flowing. Afterward, most plumbers can help you fix the issues.
Plunge Drain
If you can’t say with confidence that you don’t have a clog, you should consider using a plunger. Plungers are great, cheap fixes for removing any sort of clog or blockage.
To use a plunger, drain the sink completely and then fill it with hot water. Place the plunger against the drain to get a good seal and then proceed. Doing so will usually remove most simple clogs or blockages.
However, you should attempt this even if you know there’s no physical blockage. A plunger can help force airflow and get the water flossing properly. Upsetting the flow of air in this manner could prove to be just what you need!
Replace Pipes
Unfortunately, many problems can’t be fixed with a plunger or warm water. You may need to consider replacing pipes so that they’ll flow properly.
Most pipes will need professional hands to replace. Plumbers may need to access spots behind walls or in your property that you would struggle to reach. Make sure you’re bringing in a good expert to deal with these sensitive areas.
Fixing a Faulty Faucet
Fixing a faulty sink drain isn’t as difficult as you may believe! If your bathroom sink won’t drain, ensure there are no clogs with a plunger or drain snake. Afterward, you should check for any damage or mechanical failures that may cause your sink not to properly drain.
Would you like to learn more maintenance tips for your home? Be sure to contact us for more information! You can also browse our site for more articles that can help you with your DIY work.
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