Bathroom basin draining slowly — how to clear it

Bathroom basin slow drains are almost always caused by hair and soap scum caught on the pop-up waste plug mechanism or in the trap just below the basin.

Remove the basin plug or waste cover. If it is a pop-up waste (operated by a rod at the back of the tap), pull it out — there is usually a clip or hook on the underside where hair collects. Clean it thoroughly.

With the plug removed, insert a drain pull tool or a bent wire hook into the drain and pull out any accumulated hair. A surprising amount of hair collects even in just a few months of normal use.

If the basin still drains slowly after removing the visible blockage, the trap under the basin needs clearing. Place a small bucket under the U-trap, unscrew the trap (hand-tight or with a pair of grips with cloth to protect the plastic), empty it, and rinse clean.

For basins with bottle traps (a cylindrical trap common in modern bathrooms), unscrew the bottom section — they twist off anti-clockwise. Clean the internal bottle and tube.

Prevent future slow drains by rinsing a kettleful of hot water down the basin weekly, and fitting a drain cover that catches hair before it enters the waste.