What is usually in there
Hair on its own would wash through, but soap, conditioner and body oils coat it and make it sticky. It wraps around the pop-up stopper rod in a sink or the crossbars of a tub strainer and collects more with every use. Hard water adds mineral scale that roughens the inside of the trap and helps the mat hold together.
Because these clogs usually sit within the first foot or two of the drain, they respond well to hand tools. What they do not respond well to is chemical openers, which tend to melt a path through the top of the clog and leave the rest.
Clearing a bathroom sink
- Pull the stopper.Many pop-up stoppers lift straight out; others release by loosening the pivot nut behind the drain under the sink.
- Clean the stopper and opening.Remove the hair and slime by hand or with a plastic barbed drain strip.
- Check the trap.With a bucket underneath, remove the P-trap and clear anything inside, then reassemble hand-tight and check for drips.
- Test.Fill the basin partway and release it. A clean drain empties in a steady swirl.
Tubs and showers
| Drain type | Where hair collects | How to reach it |
|---|---|---|
| Tub with trip lever | Linkage plunger behind the overflow plate | Remove the overflow cover and pull the linkage out to clean |
| Tub with toe-touch or lift stopper | Under the stopper and strainer | Unscrew the stopper, then clean the strainer crossbars |
| Shower with screw-in strainer | Just below the strainer | Unscrew the strainer and use a barbed strip |
| Shower with snap-in cover | Below the cover | Pry the cover gently and clean below |
Keep it from coming back
- Use a hair catcher on tub and shower drains and empty it often.
- Clean sink stoppers every few months, before they slow down.
- Rinse drains with hot tap water after using heavy conditioners or oils.
- Wipe away mineral crust from strainers so hair has less to grip.
If you call a plumber
- Is the clog in the trap or further into the branch line?
- Will you go through the drain opening, the overflow or a cleanout?
- Do the sink and tub share a branch that should be cleared together?
Common questions
Is a plastic barbed drain strip safe for old pipes?
Yes. It only reaches a short distance and does not cut, so it is gentle on older fixtures and traps.
Why does my sink drain fine until it fills up?
A partial hair mat lets a trickle through. Once the volume increases, the restricted opening cannot keep up, so the basin fills.
Can I use a small hand auger?
Yes, a quarter-inch hand auger works for sink and tub traps. Feed it gently, and stop if it binds rather than forcing it through old fittings.
General information for Stanton, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.