When your bathroom sink stops draining properly, it could be because of several reasons –– clogged hair, leaking pipes and gummy soap scum –– and worst of all, your wedding ring! Unclogging your bathroom sink isn't as difficult as you think with these simple DIY procedures –– and if you can't fix the problem on your own, you can always call a professional plumber.

Using a Plunger

Using a plunger is perhaps the most common method to unclog a sink. This method is useful if you notice a newly-formed clog. Easily available at a home improvement store, a specialised bathroom-sink plunger has a shorter handle and rubber cup that needs to be placed above the drainage hole on the sink. The plunge movement will unclog the sink by displacing the clogged item into the drainage pipe to let water easily flow through. A plunger is only useful if your clog isn't serious and the clogged items can be displaced easily.

Use a Coat Hanger or Plumber's Snake

A coat hanger is another effective method to help unclog a bathroom sink. You'll need to straighten out a coat wire hanger and mould a small hook at the bottom. Focus a torchlight into the drainpipe and search for debris that has been clogging your sink. Insert the coat hanger into the drainpipe and hook the item to remove it. This works very well when combined with a plunger, because the plunger can bring the clogged debris easily into sight while the hanger removes it. A plumber snake is another tool that works on the same principle as the coat hanger. This tool is made from a flexible wire that can work deeper into the drainpipe than a coat hanger and is easily available at a home improvement store. 

Vinegar and Baking Soda

You don't have to buy any special chemicals for unclogging your bathroom sink if you have baking soda and vinegar easily available at home. Add a solution of baking soda and vinegar together into the drain and cover the hole with a plug for a few minutes. The solution will start frothing in the drainpipe and this frothing reaction will displace any clogged debris –– flush the drainpipe with some hot water to clear out all clogs.

Detach the Pipe from the Drain

If nothing works, you may have to detach the drainpipe to clean it from inside. You'll need a pipe wrench to unplug the drainpipe. Once you have removed the drainpipe, you can use a plumber's snake or wire to clear out the clog. This method requires proper skill to detach and re-attach the drainpipe. If you're not confident, you may want to call a professional plumber.

While unclogging a bathroom sink isn't too difficult, be sure to call a plumber to detect and fix the problem, if none of these methods work.