Clogs happen. At Fast Plumbing and Drain, we’ve seen just about everything that causes clogs, from small toys to dental implants to makeup brushes and all kinds of assorted debris. But the main reasons bathroom sink drains get clogged is hair. After months or years of use (depending on how much hair is getting into them), sink drain pipes above the P-trap can become clogged with keratin. One hair catches another that catches yet another and on it goes. The hair on its own won’t necessarily stop the flow of water, but let enough accumulated gunk surround and attach itself to that hair and it’s almost guaranteed you’ll eventually have a problem. Sometimes a bottle of liquid drain cleaner will solve that problem, but that isn’t necessarily the best method of clog prevention.
So other than cutting all your hair off (not a popular option for many), how do you keep hair from getting in the pipes of your bathroom sink?
We all lose hair in the natural growth cycle, which ends with the exogen (shedding) phase. Brushing, blow drying or combing hair (which many of us do in front of a mirror over the sink) will result in these hairs falling into the sink basin. If you don’t see them and turn on the water, it’s easy for them to go down the drain, get caught there and accumulate.
Start with Stoppers
Some bathroom sinks come with strainers and no stopper, which can help with clog prevention a bit, since there’s less open area at the drain inlet for hairs to fall into. There’s at least some chance they’ll stay on the strainer and can be cleaned up before going down the drain. Sinks with stoppers allow hair to go right down the drain the next time water is running unless the stopper is engaged. Neither option completely stops hair from going down the drain. Sinks with strainers are just a little better at giving us an opportunity to spot fallen hairs and take action before they do.
Any easy solution is simply to train yourself to stand back (not lean over the sink) when brushing, combing or drying those luxurious locks. Yes, hair will fall on the floor, but no one ever had to call a plumber because their floor was hairy. Presumably, you’ll clean the bathroom floor when needed and at that time, the hairs will be swept or vacuumed up before mopping, Swiffering, etc. It might take a little time to get used to, but it’s an easy way to keep hair out the sink. And we promise, you’ll still be just as good looking a few inches further away from the mirror.
