I've had an ongoing battle with my bathroom sink. A little over a year ago, I successfully cleared a clog using a liquid drain cleaner but noticed some leaks at the juncture of the J-bend, and so I replaced the plumbing under the sink (p-trap and slip nuts). Fast forward one year, and the clog is back with a vengeance. I dismantled the P-trap and cleaned out what I assume was some minor soap slime, but there was no clog, suggesting that the clog is somewhere in the wall. I again used a liquid drain cleaner and again successfully cleared the clog – or so I thought. Two days later the drain was again clogged, and this time the water is draining much more slowly. I tried using a liquid drain cleaner a third time, but this time the clog isn't moving. Before I spend money on either an auger or plumber, I have a couple of questions:
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Is it possible that this clog has something to do with the way I installed the P-trap? For example, does the P-trap have to be pitched in a particular manner? It seems unlikely that this is the problem, given that I went nearly a year without any problems after installing the P-trap.
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I live in condo complex and I've had yearly problems with backflow in my bathtub as well, which has required snaking. It turns out that my bathtub drain forms a tee with my neighbor's before connecting with the main line, and plumbers have suggested that my neighbor's thick black hair may be the culprit (based on the hair captured by the auger). Do bathroom sinks typically form tees with neighboring sinks in large condominium complexes, or are they usually on separate lines?
Any suggestions as to how to proceed with this clog would be appreciated. I assume a drain auger is the next step.
Best Answer
I agree that it's probably not the P trap.
It's pretty common for condo/apartments to share main drains. Has your neighbor had problems too? Liquid drain cleaners will work for only so long and then usually an auger or snake is needed. You can pick up a inexpensive snake at your home store and try that out. It could definitely solve your problem. If not, you have to consider the possibility of tree roots breaking into the pipes. If you have a condo association they might foot the bill if more than one unit has the problem... Good luck.