Slowly clearing sink caused by soap scum

St1mpMeister · 25-11-2022 04:30PM #1

Odd one this. I have a sink that is clearing slowly due to soap scum. The sink fills up to about 1/5 and then gradually starts to empty (even while the tap is running).

Once it's empty it doesn't fill up again while the water still runs.

If you stop the tap and pause for 10 seconds and then turn it back on, it starts to fill again.

Have tried running hot water down it for 10 minutes... and leaving Mr Muscle or other drain cleaners overnight... no difference.

How do I clear this scummy issue?

St1mpMeister · 25-11-2022 04:43PM

Just to be clear... when it's 1/5 full .. it takes 2 mins to empty

So the cycle is:

Turn on tap
Sink starts to fill
Sink gets 1/5 full
Water starts to drain over 2 mins
Sink water level empty (while tap still running)
Turn off tap

10-10-20 · 25-11-2022 04:46PM

Flush it well (to rid the system of Mr Muscle) and then disassemble the U-bend/trap and clean it out. If that's spotless and it's still an issue, then you need a drain rodding. 🙏

10-10-20 · 25-11-2022 04:47PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119920644#Comment_119920644

...and that's the most analysis that I have ever seen on a blocked sink. 😂

St1mpMeister · 25-11-2022 06:24PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119920657#Comment_119920657

Damn... no way of sorting this via the sink plug 'ole?

Is there not something that can dissolve soap scum?

10-10-20 · 25-11-2022 06:35PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119921035#Comment_119921035

I doubt it's soap scum as you're already used Sodium hypochlorite (bleach) and caustic soda (Sodium hydroxide) which are both contained in Mr Muscle.

Thinking about your description of the problem again, perhaps it's a siphoning issue where the pipe is horizontal and is backing up. Do you hear gulping when draining at all? You could also try a plunger to see if it can shift any residue. Full the bowl to the top and then try it with hot (!!) water.

The Ging and I · 25-11-2022 06:42PM

Is this problem unique to the sink ? No other problems with toilets in the house ?

POBox19 · 25-11-2022 06:42PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058273335/slowly-clearing-sink-caused-by-soap-scum

How long is the drain pipe run? Could there be a dip in it which is causing a syphon to set up?

ozmo · 25-11-2022 06:56PM

I find those wires or thin springs you put down sink pipes to clear them great - no chemicals.

Sometimes the u-bends have un-screwable access points to help.

Also had some success before with old fashioned plungers.

St1mpMeister · 26-11-2022 01:48AM

I do have a long cable alright... think it might be too wide to fit through the plug.

I'll try the plunger.

And yes problem is unique to the sink, and only started when we started using bar of standard soap (which leaves a residue) rather than Dove soap (which doesn't).

26-11-2022 02:02AM

Wash it out with lots of hot water for a good few flushes before opening anything and protect your hands with thick rubber gloves. Drain unblockers are very nasty.

greasepalm · 26-11-2022 03:44AM

Might there be a dishwasher connected to the waste pipe as over time crud builds up in the pipe .

The odd few occasions i have had to clear the muck in that long pipe flowing into outside shore.

St1mpMeister · 27-11-2022 01:05PM

Plunger worked... ffs

10-10-20 · 27-11-2022 09:40PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119927240#Comment_119927240

I take payment in beer, wine or bags of fertiliser... 😂

(Good job!)

Slowly clearing sink caused by soap scum

Comments