What you might notice
- Water drains slowly or stands in the bowl after you brush your teeth or shave
- A musty smell coming from the drain
- Water rises when you run the faucet for more than a few seconds
- The pop-up stopper is stuck or barely moves
Likely causes
- Hair and soap scum wrapped around the pop-up stopper
- Toothpaste, shaving cream and skin-care products coating the pipe
- A build-up in the P-trap, the U-shaped pipe under the sink
- Less often: a clog further down the branch line inside the wall
Safe things to try first
- Pull out the pop-up stopper (most lift out or unscrew) and clean the hair and gunk off it.
- Use a cheap plastic hair-snake tool to pull hair out of the drain opening.
- Plug the overflow hole near the top of the sink with a wet rag, then use a small cup plunger with a few inches of water in the bowl.
- Flush with hot tap water for a minute. Use hot tap water, not boiling water.
- If you are handy, put a bucket under the sink and remove the P-trap to clean it out. Hand-tighten it when you put it back.
If water starts rising or you see sewage, stop and call. Don’t take apart anything you’re not comfortable putting back together.
When to call a pro
- The sink is still slow after you cleaned the stopper and trap
- More than one drain in the house is slow, or the tub gurgles when the sink drains
- The clog comes back every few weeks
- You see water leaking under the sink or inside the cabinet
What Rooter Champion does
We clear the line with a drain cable sized for bathroom pipes, then run water to make sure it flows the way it should. With our $55 drain cleaning you also get a free camera inspection, so you can see on the screen what was causing the clog and whether anything else needs attention. If the clog is deeper in the wall line, we will show you the footage and explain your options before doing anything more.
If the sink also smells, see sewer smell; if it gurgles when the toilet flushes, see gurgling drains. Local to us? See drain service in La Mirada.
Our $55 drain cleaning includes a free camera inspection, so you can see the problem for yourself. Rooter Champion is family-owned, licensed and insured (CA Lic. #1063585).
Common questions
Why does my bathroom sink keep clogging?
Hair and soap scum build up a little every day. If the stopper and P-trap are not cleaned now and then, the build-up narrows the pipe until water can barely get through. A drain that clogs again within a few weeks of cleaning may have a deeper build-up in the wall line.
Is boiling water safe for a bathroom sink?
We do not recommend it. Boiling water can soften PVC pipe joints and can crack porcelain. Hot tap water is safer and works just as well for flushing soap residue.
How much does it cost to clear a bathroom sink?
Our drain cleaning is $55 and includes a free camera inspection. If the camera shows a bigger problem, we explain it and talk through options before any other work.
What customers say
5.0 stars from 52 Google reviews on our La Habra profile.
“Bryan is a professional who cares about your home. Our sink had a recurring drainage issue. Bryan and crew properly diagnosed it and got right to work. No more odor or gurgling. Thanks again!”
“Called the day before for the $55 drain unclogging special. Came out within the 1 hr window, checked and snaked the drains from the shower vent. Thorough and very affordable. Would recommend. Thanks!”
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Local, family-owned, based in La Habra
Rooter Champion is a family-owned drain and sewer company at 1401 S Beach Blvd Unit A, La Habra, CA 90631. We serve homes and businesses in La Habra, Fullerton, La Mirada, Whittier and surrounding cities, including Brea, Placentia, Anaheim and Buena Park.
Open 7 days, 8am–5pm. We respond within 1 hour. Licensed & insured, CA Lic. #1063585.