A plunger is the best tool for clearing a clogged sink or drain. A plunger consists of a rubber cup with a handle and a rod that fits inside. When you push down on the plunger, air pressure builds up in the cup, creating suction that pulls water through your drain lines and out to your main sewer line. This can be helpful if you find standing water in your sink or tub after a shower because of a clog somewhere else in your plumbing system (like under your toilet).
So, can you use a plunger on a bathroom sink? Yes, you can use a plunger on a bathroom sink. Plungers are used to clear blockages in drains and sinks by creating suction that pulls water from the drain and through the pipes. The cup style plunger will work better for bathroom sinks because it is deeper than the flat-sided plungers and will allow you to get more leverage when trying to dislodge whatever has caused your sink to clog up.
If you have a bathtub and it’s overflowing, you are going to want to use a cup plunger. This is because the cup plunger is specifically designed to fit the shape of a bathroom sink and can create enough suction to pull water through whatever hole is causing your drain to be clogged.
There are two types of bathroom sinks, one that has an overflow drain and one that doesn’t. If there isn’t an overflow drain, you will need to use the standard flat-headed plunger on your sink for it works properly. This is because of how these types of sinks are set up. They don’t allow any room for space between the wall and where your toilet sits (if there were such space, then you’d probably have more problems).
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Does Plunging Into a Sink Make It Worse?
No, plunging does not make a sink worse. Plunging is often the best way to clear out those stubborn clogs before they cause bigger problems down the road. Plungers are versatile tools that help you quickly and easily eliminate stubborn blockages. You might be wondering if plunging your sink is the right way to remove clogs since many plumbing pipes weren’t designed with plungers in mind. But I want you to know that plunging is safe and effective for clearing the most common plumbing issues.
How to Use a Standard Drain Plunger on a Bathroom Sink
The plunger acts as an airtight cup, with one side open so air can travel up through the handle when you depress it into the sink’s drain hole (where most of your water goes down). When you release pressure on the handle, water rushes back into this same hole and pushes whatever was blocking it out through another opening at the front end of your plunger, your clean sink.
1. Examine the Drain Stopper
If the plunger doesn’t fit in the drain, you may need to use a different plunger. If your sink has a smaller opening than what’s on that plunger, it won’t work. You’ll have to try a larger version of the same thing or find an alternative tool designed for drains with smaller openings.
2. Block the Overflow Opening
If your sink is overflowing, you may be tempted to use a plunger to stop it. While this method works well in some cases, if the water is coming out of the overflow opening on top of the sink (this is usually a small hole covered by a plug), then it won’t work. The plunger needs somewhere for all that water to create suction and pull up whatever has been clogging your sink. If there’s no place for all that water to go except back into your sink, then you won’t have enough suction going on with your plunger to do anything productive.
3. Position the Plunger
Place the plunger over the drain. Please ensure the rubber cup is facing the drain and there’s no gap between it and the drain. If you need to, use a ruler or measuring tape to measure whether there are any gaps between your sink and plunger. After placing your plungers in position, ensure they’re also centered over your drains. This will ensure that every part of your plunger makes contact with water running down through it, and if something isn’t positioned right, the chances are good that water could continue flowing into other parts of your home.
4. Pump the Handle
If the sink is working, but your plunger isn’t moving any water, try pumping the handle up and down. This will create a pressure difference in the pipes that may help push some liquid out of the pipe and into your drain. Pumping also creates a vacuum below where you’re plunging, which can sometimes give you an advantage over gravity. If this doesn’t work, then try again.
It’s always worth trying to move water out of a pipe twice before giving up on it. If this still doesn’t work, try another method like freezing or even using some chemical drain cleaners as a last resort (but only if local authorities approve them).
5. Check for Drainage
Next, you’ll want to check the drainage. If there is a clog in the drain, it will be evident when you run water down the sink drain. You can use a plunger again if necessary, but it should be easier this time because some initial water has already been pushed down and out of your pipes. If your drain is unblocked and still clogged after using a plunger, flush it with hot water (not as hot as boiling) for 10 minutes before attempting to clear it again. If this doesn’t work either, call a plumber.
6. Flush the Drain
If the water is still slow, try flushing the drain with hot water. This may help loosen some clogs and make it easier to pull out with a plunger. If that doesn’t work, boil some water and pour it into your bathroom sink. This can often break up debris in sinks that have been there for a while and cause it to become dislodged from its position in your pipe. You should also consider using a chemical drain cleaner if you have one on hand.
This can help clear out stubborn clogs too big for normal plunging techniques. If none of these methods work, call a plumber.
READ MORE: How to Unclog Bathroom Sink Naturally
How Can I Unblock a Bathroom Sink Without a Plunger
1. Make sure the water has drained away, and your basin is empty and dry
You’ll need to ensure the sink is empty, dry, and free from water. If any moisture is left in the sink and you add baking soda or vinegar, it could result in a chemical reaction that creates carbon dioxide gas. This can be dangerous if inhaled by someone standing nearby. It’s also important to check that your drain isn’t blocked with food or other debris before attempting this method of clearing the blockage yourself.
2. Pour one cup of baking soda down the drain
To unblock a sink, pour one cup of baking soda. The baking soda will react with whatever clogs your pipes and neutralize it. Baking soda is also a natural deodorizer to eliminate foul smells from your sink. Baking soda can be used for many things in the kitchen, such as a natural cleaning agent or stain remover, so this versatile product will come in handy if you need to unclog your bathroom sink too.
3. Pour two cups of hot water
After completing the two steps, pour two cups of boiling water down the drain. This helps dissolve the baking soda, giving it a better chance to cleanse your pipes and eliminate any odors. Baking soda is an excellent natural deodorizer with disinfectant properties, making it great for keeping your bathroom smelling fresh. It’s also an antacid that can help neutralize odors in your plumbing system from natural sources (food) and unnatural sources (mold).
4. Pour the add another baking soda, then vinegar
You’ll want to pour another cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by one cup of white vinegar. The baking soda and vinegar will react to create carbon dioxide gas that helps clear the blockage. If you don’t have a plunger on hand, don’t worry: put your ear up to the drain as you pour in the liquids and listen for any bubbling sounds from within. If you hear this sound (it’s a bit like inhaling through your nose), then it means that something was clogging up your sink, which is now being cleared out by the fizzing chemical reaction occurring between said chemicals. Then flush it out with hot water.
5. Let the fizz and bubbles come out
After pouring the baking soda and vinegar down the drain, you should wait a few minutes. Let the fizz and bubbles come out. Once they’ve disappeared, pour two cups of hot water down the drain. If you have trouble getting your bottle opener back in place to pop off the top, try boiling water instead.
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Conclusion – Can You Use a Plunger on a Bathroom Sink?
Yes, you can use a plunger on your bathroom sink. It’s important to note that you should keep a few things in mind when doing so. First, ensure the plunger is clean and ready for use. Second, don’t forget the drain stopper when plunging into blocked drains, as it can cause damage if left unchecked.
