Slow bathroom sink drain: clear it in this order
Bathroom sinks usually clog close to the top, where hair and soap catch on the pop-up stopper. Start there before reaching for chemicals.
Before you start: Skip chemical drain openers if you might open the trap afterwards. They can splash on you when the pipe comes apart.
What to check first
The pop-up stopper
Pull the stopper out. Some lift straight up; others come free when you loosen the pivot rod nut on the back of the drain pipe. Clean off the hair and buildup.
Just below the stopper
Push a plastic drain-cleaning strip or a small hand snake down the drain to pull out what is past the stopper.
The P-trap
If it is still slow, put a bucket underneath, remove the trap and clean it out.
Further down the line
If the sink gurgles, or other fixtures are slow too, the clog or a vent problem is past the trap, and that is a job for a plumber.
Get the list for your store
Ask Danny turns this job into a one-trip parts list for Home Depot and Lowe's, with aisle numbers and price estimates. Free, and no account needed.
Build my parts listParts you may need
- Plastic drain-cleaning stripA cheap barbed strip that pulls hair out.
- Hand drain snakeA 1/4 inch cable is the right size for sink drains.
- Slip-joint washersBathroom sink drains are usually 1-1/4 inch.
- Pop-up drain assemblyOnly if the stopper or its linkage is broken or corroded.
Tools
- Bucket
- Channel-lock pliers
- Rubber gloves
- Flashlight
Call a licensed pro if
- Several drains in the house are slow at once
- Water backs up into the tub or another sink
- The pipe inside the wall is cracked or leaking
General guidance, not professional advice. Parts differ by brand and model, so check yours before buying. Aisle numbers and prices in the app are estimates. How Ask Danny uses AI. Updated September 16, 2026.