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Topic: Bathroom sink drain is emptying too slowly (Read 1331 times) previous topic - next topic

Bathroom sink drain is emptying too slowly

Any suggestions or advice for cleaning out the bathroom sink drain?  Ours is emptying very slowly. Drano and similar products are not in my tool box.
George Stoltz.  Retired from full-time living in a great Foretravel and now are back to living in a traditional sticks and bricks in Florida.

Re: Bathroom sink drain is emptying too slowly

Reply #1 –
You can try Home Depot.  They have a snake made of plastic about 3 feet long for just such a task.
Peter & Beth Martin
No Forrest? What have you done?
MC# 15890 until Dec 2016; FMCA #F329677
Cincinnati, OH

Re: Bathroom sink drain is emptying too slowly

Reply #2 –
Quote
Any suggestions or advice for cleaning out the bathroom sink drain?  Ours is emptying very slowly.
I think you can unscrew the "P" trap underneath which is probably where the blockage is.
The selected media item is not currently available.Barry BEAM #16014
2003 U320 40' AGDS
Beamalarm, Foretravel technical help and specifications
"Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve"

Re: Bathroom sink drain is emptying too slowly

Reply #3 –
Agree with Barry. 

Remove the P trap and clean.

Remove the sink stopper by loosening the nut securing the rod that operates the sink stopper, remove and clean.

Only after that should you consider a "Plan B".

Brett Wolfe
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Bathroom sink drain is emptying too slowly

Reply #4 –
I agree with Brett, my stoppage turned out to be makeup and hair on the stopper lever.  I found that removing the stopper lever was easier than removing the P trap.
John Cooper
'91 GV 36'
Oshkosh chassis
Cat 3208T 300HP

Re: Bathroom sink drain is emptying too slowly

Reply #5 –
Maybe you should go lighter on your makeup and wear a hair net when you use the coach.
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: Bathroom sink drain is emptying too slowly

Reply #6 –
I just finished that chore. Get under the sink and unscrew the sleeve holding the drain valve lever into the top of the "P" trap. Pull out the lever and then lift out the drain plug from the sink. Wash and clean it of all the black jelly like stuff. Then use a long handled instrument (sponge forceps work well) and paper towels to clean out the drain itself. Reinsert the drain plug, careful to line up the hole in the bottom so lever will reinsert when cap is screwed back on. Adjust lever to raise and lower the plug normally. VOILA!
No RV! Have hung up the keys.
In the past: 2016 Winnebago Era, 1994 Foretravel U240, 1995 Foretravel U240 (wide body), 1999 Foretravel 320, 36 Foot, 2003 Foretravel U320 38 foot,

Re: Bathroom sink drain is emptying too slowly

Reply #7 –
Boil water and pour it down all of the drains.  Remember, soap is made out of fat!  Mix that with a few hairs and you are up to the skill levels of beavers regarding stopping water!
Do that regularly and you will see the difference.  It is green, also!
Michael Baldacchino
'97 40' U320

Re: Bathroom sink drain is emptying too slowly

Reply #8 –
George, did you get it cleaned out?  Was it full of hair?  That's what it usually is in most bathroom sinks.  I agree with unscrewing the cap on the lever and pulling up the stopper.  Most times the hair will come up with the stopper, but sometimes it falls into the P trap and has to be fished out with a bent wire, or remove the P trap.  After you put it back together you shouldn't be able to pull out the stopper.  If you can, the lever missed the hole on the end of the stopper.
Jerry Whiteaker former owner 96 U270  36' #4831 Austin,TX-Owner Mods LCD TV w/front cabinet rebuild - LCD TV bedroom - Dual Central AC, either can cool coach w 30 amp - Skylights at roof AC openings - Drop ceiling for ducting of AC - Shower skylight white gelcoat/wood/epoxy frame - Air Springs/Shocks replaced - 2014 CRV - 8K Home Solar - Chevy Volt

Re: Bathroom sink drain is emptying too slowly

Reply #9 –
Jerry,
 
I have not tackled the job as yet.  Too busy having fun here in far NW Montana.  Mostly sunny days in the 80s and evenings into high 40s and low 50s.  Last night we watched the Perseid meteor shower.  Neat.
George Stoltz.  Retired from full-time living in a great Foretravel and now are back to living in a traditional sticks and bricks in Florida.

Re: Bathroom sink drain is emptying too slowly

Reply #10 –
For clogged hair and such try a "Zipit". It's a 20' long piece of white plastic, flat and has what looks similar to fish hooks on each side. You push it down the drain and pull out all the gunk hanging up inside the drain pipe. You may have to remove the stopper first. It bets using and old coat hanger like I used to use in the past.
I bought mine at either Lowe's or Home Depot. Look in the plumbing section or ask, good luck finding someone, and they can direct you.
Good luck.
Jon Ohman
2001 U320 36'
Build #5809

Re: Bathroom sink drain is emptying too slowly

Reply #11 –
I haven't had to use anything in the motorhome yet but I use a bladder that connects to a water hose at home.  Simply put the bladder into the drain & turn on the water, the bladder swells up and shoots high pressure water and (most of the time) blows out the pluggage. These bladders can be bought at most of the box stores for $4 or $5.
Jim Monk
1997 U270
East Texas

FlexiSnake to the rescue

Reply #12 –
A few weeks ago I asked for suggestion to deal with a very slow moving bathroom sink drain.  All of your suggestions were good, but I got busy with other things.  Then the other day while digging through a large Rubbermaid tub I found a small package of an item called FlexiSnake.  www.flexisnake.com.

A one end of the coil is a patch of Velcro.

I used it to snake out the hair and gunk from the bathroom drain and flushed loose globs down the drain with two applications of near boiling water.  It works as good as new.

A package of two is $8.95 + S&H.  I do not own shares in this company.
George Stoltz.  Retired from full-time living in a great Foretravel and now are back to living in a traditional sticks and bricks in Florida.

Re: Bathroom sink drain is emptying too slowly

Reply #13 –
Great! Happy you got it fixed. Any chance you could remember where you got the "Flexisnake"? Taking out the drain plug is a pita.
No RV! Have hung up the keys.
In the past: 2016 Winnebago Era, 1994 Foretravel U240, 1995 Foretravel U240 (wide body), 1999 Foretravel 320, 36 Foot, 2003 Foretravel U320 38 foot,

Re: Bathroom sink drain is emptying too slowly

Reply #14 –
I got them online.  The web address is in my posting under a new topic called:  Flexisnake to the rescue
George Stoltz.  Retired from full-time living in a great Foretravel and now are back to living in a traditional sticks and bricks in Florida.