Yesterday I tried to get my bathroom sink to drain better and I used a plunger. Unfortunately water got into the overflow and now water is coming out through the hole.
What can I do?
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Bathroom sink drainage
bathroomdrainageoverflow
Related Solutions
I would start by removing the trap, putting a bucket underneath the tailpiece (below the sink) and just running some water and seeing what happens. Clean out the trap while you're at it and make sure there isn't a mess of hair stuck in there. If it all comes through without a problem and doesn't back up, then I would suggest buying a snake and going through the wall pipe and seeing what you can pull out. I've always been able to get a slow drain going with a snake. It might take a few tries, but it can usually work out. Make sure that you push the snake right up against the pipe opening, and then just keep cranking until something changes.
You want to be careful with chemicals because they can discolor the chrome around the sink if you're not very careful, and they can also react with the pipes in a unsafe manner. They make some gels that are more organic in nature that can eat away at organic clogs (hair, etc) that are much safer to use.
If by "bar-sink drain cover" you mean a perforated strainer like this:
then it might be related to the relative "softness" or "hardness" of your water supply. Where I am from we have "hard" water (high in mineral content) which has high surface tension and will not drain as easily through fine strainers. "Soft" water has less or no dissolved minerals but has dissolved sodium, and lower surface tension. Get a gallon of distilled water at the market, or mix 1/2 gallon of water with a 1/4 cup of table salt and see how that drains. If it drains fast, then you probably have to buy a strainer with bigger holes or enlarge the holes in your strainer. Or buy a water softener. Or best of all, install a sink with overflow protection.
Best Answer
When you plunge a sink with an overflow built into it you must first plug the opening with a plastic bag so a vacuum is created.
The overflow and the drain are connected when the sink is designed. Sometimes if plunging won't open the drain removing the trap and checking for obstructions is best.
If the clog isn't in the trap by removing it you can than peer down the drain from above at the sink. The stopper lever is also a location that is notorious for causing clogs.
Lastly, if you verify there are no clogs along the exposed drain line and plunging doesn't help, an augured drain snake pushed into the pipe gong into the wall may be your last hope.
I don't recommend any type of clog dissolver or acidic solutions to open the drain as they can do more harm to the pipes and septic system than good.