Sink unblocked sitting in sink won’t go down

[fluffydoglove]

The en suite sink has been very slow draining and sometimes water has been sitting in sink until following day..I’ve tried vinegar and baking soda twice a few days ago, drain snake nothing unblocked it.
So this evening about 7pm dh decided to put sink unblocker into sink but he had to remove stagnant water that had been sitting there first then he poured the unblocker into sink and its still sitting there it hasn’t moved.
I’m really stressed about toxic gas so I’ve come downstairs to try and sleep on settee not happening! dh is mad thinks I’m overreacting as I left the en suite light on for the vent and opened the bedroom window a bit.. I was scared fumes would get into our bedroom ..so I’m worried the chemical will still be sitting in sink in morning what do I do obviously we can’t get it out

The unblocker liquid should be followed by boiling water, or as close to boiling as you can manage. This does create some fumes, the vent/window's a good idea.

I'm assuming you've tried a good old-fashioned plunger? If the chemical doesn't work, remove the liquid from the sink (wearing gloves), then have another go with the plunger. Should that also fail, it's time to unscrew the U-bend and ferret around for whatever's in there.

You are over-stressing about fumes. The ventilation you've applied is enough.

Thanks for your reply I am very stressed about the fumes ..plunger was tried several times over the last week just brought up some black gunk but thats all.
when we run the tap the water has been sitting in the sink sometimes for a day before it would slowly drain.
so when dh put the unblocker in it just filled the sink and has stayed there..if he’d poured hot water after I’m guessing it would just of filled the sink more

I understand. Time to get under the pipes and get messy, then! My sympathy to DH, it's a horrid job.

He will have to ladle the unblocker out first, though. Then put the plug in securely. The last thing you want is a face full of that stuff when you remove the trap.

You're worrying too much about fumes, but I can't stop you doing that, can I?

Take off the trap and clean everything out. I had a slow draining basin and a quick taking apart and cleaning sorted it out.

You've ventilated so you're not going to die of fumes, if that's your concern.

If you follow all of the above suggestions, and the water still doesn't go down, you probably have a blockage somewhere further along the pipes.

You can check your home insurance and see if you have cover for a plumber to come out to investigate/sort.

Thanks everyone.. everything feels worse in the middle of the night .. the sink unblocker was still sitting in the sink when I got up at 6.30am but was gone before I left for work at 8am? Weird? Does that mean the blockage is sorted now? Haven’t had time to do anything with the sink and dh left at 6am and as luck would have it is away until Friday 😩
so when I get back this evening do I need to put boiling water down the sink? I always thought you couldn’t put boiling water directly down the upstairs sinks something to do with plastic pipes?
Thanks I’m useless with this stuff

I just had a plumber come round and clear out our en suite sink and shower pipes. We have to do it every two years or so when regular unblocking methods don't work. Maybe try that if it's an affordable option for you.

if it was hair blocking that could now be it. unblocker takes a while to dissolve a hairball.

you need a hair trap in the sink and maybe repeat with an unblocker every couple of months. especially if the sink is used for shaving

Oh god I popped home quickly on my break and put warm water in the sink ( stopped kettle boiling halfway so it wasn’t too hot) and now I have a sink full of yellow water that’s not moving 😩 what the heck am I coming back to again this evening

My husband took the pipes apart when we had the situation a few weeks ago. Oh my lord - the gunk that was in there! It was almost fun. Either you’ll have to start unscrewing and ferreting around or call a plumber who will.

Have you tried taking off the trap under the sink? Put a bucket under it first. You'll probably find the trap is full of gunk.

Put a bucket under it first - and don't pour the contents back down the sink! Easily done... 😉

You are meant to follow up with hot water after the drain clearer has done it's work and disappeared down the drain, not when it's still sitting there.

My plumber told me that using chemical unblockers repeatedly is not a good idea as it could corrode the pipes - potentially in a place that is difficult to access.

I just use hot/nearly boiling water plus a plunger and/or a snake. If this doesn’t work I call said plumber - or you could try to take off the trap yourself or task someone….. if you/husband/other handy person is willing to have a go.

Plunger and a wire coat hanger solves most blockages

Hi thanks everyone for your help but the if I try to undo the pipes underneath when I’m home tonight then I’m presuming the pipes are holding the chemical unblocker and I’d be a bit afraid to go near it too dangerous

The trap is just held by hand tightened big plastic nuts, you shouldn't need any tools to take it off, unless some gorilla tightened them!

I would called a local person who unblocks drains to come and sort it out properly. I've used one before and it cost about £100.

Just put rubber gloves on and hold the bucket close up to the pipe so it doesn't splash when it drops.

It's not that dangerous, just don't get it neat on your skin or if you do wash off quickly, but you've already diluted it by adding the water anyway, as said wear plastic gloves and long sleeves just in case of splashes. If it was that toxic you wouldn't be able to buy it!

You are absolutely right on this.
Please just leave the water - it sounds like it will go at some point. Then more water several times before you attempt to take off the trap.
Drain cleaner is HORRIFFIC stuff - especially if you get it in your eyes.

Just a thought - is it turning on a tap elsewhere that is encouraging the sink to drain?? What taps were used between 6.30 and 8??

Thanks for replying..the main bathroom sink taps were used a couple of times during this time 6.30-8am ..washing hands so wouldn’t of been running for that long.. what’s the logic behind this if you don’t mind me asking

Im just thinking that something is randomly occouring that is letting the sink drain. And clearly something that is suddenly allowing all the water to drain - its not just dripping slowly.

So, random things happening that are linked to the sink it water flowing elsewhere ie other taps.

There is a thing called the venturi effect, which ive never heard of in home plumbing, but if youve got a narrowed pipe and flowing fluids, you can mess about with fluid flow.

Honestly, if you’re not willing to clean out the trap and u- bend then just call out a plumber. It’s really nothing to lose sleep over - especially if it’s not even your only bathroom sink!

Hi OP

We had this and I brought one of these off amazon and got to it! Honestly the amount of stuff I pulled out was glorious!

Drain snake thing