Plumbing and Piping - New bathroom sink drains slowly
Doityourself.com community forum was created to provide answers to all questions related to home improvement and home repair. Doityourself community can help you find information about how-to topics on small fixes to large remodeling projects. With comprehensive how-to content and expertly moderated community forums DoItYourself.com makes it easy to tackle even the most complex home improvement projects.View Full Version : New bathroom sink drains slowly
09-14-00, 08:12 AM
Ever since my brother installed a new bathroom sink for my parents, it hasn't drained properly, i.e. very slowly and it's not clogged. Could you tell me parts that should be used and proper sizes so I can check that first and/or give me other suggestions. Thank you.
09-14-00, 09:01 AM
If everything is properly plumbed and vented, then the rod that raises the sink stopper may need adjusting to push the stopper up higher to allow better drainage.
There is an adjusting clamp nut attached to the bottom of that rod under the sink. Loosen it enough to slide it down further on the rod, then re-tighten it. That should raise the stopper higher, if that is the problem. If that isn't the problem, it could be that the vent for the sink is clogged. Good Luck!
There is an adjusting clamp nut attached to the bottom of that rod under the sink. Loosen it enough to slide it down further on the rod, then re-tighten it. That should raise the stopper higher, if that is the problem. If that isn't the problem, it could be that the vent for the sink is clogged. Good Luck!
09-14-00, 11:08 AM
ske0401:
Does the sink even have a mechanical pop-up or does it just use a rubber stopper?
Fill the sink full of water, to just a quarter inch below the overflow hole. Now drain it and watch the sink carefully as it's about to finish draining. If you see the sink slow down, then a bubble come up from the drain, then the sink drains quickly, the problem is that the overflow passage is plugged.
I have a 1 1/4 inch ABS hub trap adapter fitting cemented onto a 1 1/4 inch ABS cap. When ever I take the trap off one of my bathroom sinks, I put this contraption on the tail piece instead, put a 5 gallon pail under that (in case it comes off), and fill the sink full of water. Then I plunger the sink like a frantic gorilla. With the cap on the bottom of the tail piece, the water has no where to go but up through the overflow passage. You'll be amazed how much garbage can collect in a sink overflow passage.
Take the cap off and drain the water into the pail, pour off the clean water, fill the sink again and repeat the process until the overflow passage is clear.
Does the sink even have a mechanical pop-up or does it just use a rubber stopper?
Fill the sink full of water, to just a quarter inch below the overflow hole. Now drain it and watch the sink carefully as it's about to finish draining. If you see the sink slow down, then a bubble come up from the drain, then the sink drains quickly, the problem is that the overflow passage is plugged.
I have a 1 1/4 inch ABS hub trap adapter fitting cemented onto a 1 1/4 inch ABS cap. When ever I take the trap off one of my bathroom sinks, I put this contraption on the tail piece instead, put a 5 gallon pail under that (in case it comes off), and fill the sink full of water. Then I plunger the sink like a frantic gorilla. With the cap on the bottom of the tail piece, the water has no where to go but up through the overflow passage. You'll be amazed how much garbage can collect in a sink overflow passage.
Take the cap off and drain the water into the pail, pour off the clean water, fill the sink again and repeat the process until the overflow passage is clear.