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I recently moved into a bldg built in the 1920's. The apartment itself has been recently renovated, kitchen, floors, bathroom, etc. I noticed the water in the bathroom sink wasn't draining as quickly as it should normally then I noticed the water leaking from underneath. While I told my landlord and he did send in a plumber pretty quickly, I believe something was done to stop the leak while the sink water still takes about 20 minutes to drain when running for only 10-15 seconds.
While the bathroom has been renovated, the landlord says the bldg is old and he can't do anything about this slow drainage problem. I have yet to ask my neighbors about it. But am I to live without using my bathroom sink until my lease is up in two years?
I've read about baking soda, vinegar and boiling water which I will try this weekend. But I can't believe he can't do anything about it and it fine with letting me live like this. I believe the renovation might not have been done properly and my landlord is just not willing to get into it. There is no hair and should not be any gunk in the pipes as of yet, unless its from construction.
Any suggestions/ideas - I'd greatly appreciate them.
While the bathroom has been renovated, the landlord says the bldg is old
and he can't do anything about this slow drainage problem.
told my landlord and he did send in a plumber pretty quickly...
1) I don't think your LL sent an actual plumber; probably his handyman guy.
2) The problem and any real solution is in the pipes in the walls
The drain pipe fittings in older buildings don't have the curves that new codes require.
3) Learn the term "closet auger" (meant for toilets). The handyman SHOULD have one.
Once the drain/trap below the sink is removed the business end of the auger is inserted
into the pipe at the wall and then spun and extended. If the blockage is nearby it'll work.
If it doesn't work... the landlord has a BIG job ahead of him.
Don't count on him volunteering to take it on.
Whether he can be forced to fix it right... can get complicated.
Do you have the same problem with the bathtub/shower drain? The kitchen sink drain? Or is it just this particular sink?
When the plumber came to fix the leak, did you tell him/her that the drain was very slow?
I would check with your neighbors to see if they have the same problem.
Boiling water etc. is got going to do much good if there is a blockage in the plumbing under the sink.
If the slow drain was not mentioned when the plumber was there - he/she might just fix what was on the list to be fixed (i.e. a leak). If I owned the place, I would probably loosen the two nuts holding the U shaped piece of the drain underneath the sink to see if it is blocked - as that is where a blockage usually occurs. Since you only rent you might not be comfortable doing this.
If the neighbors do not have issues and the rest of your drains work OK - I would ask the landlord to have his plumber stop in to verify that the issue is not with the U trap piece under the sink being clogged.
doesn't sound like much of a plumber if one did went to your house and left without fixing the slow drain issue, or at least confirm it's a bigger job than what he can do without tearing out a bunch of stuff.
+1. I posted about this a few days ago in another thread. If the clog is in the trap, just pulling it out with the zip-it gizmo is going to be a lot faster and more effective than trying to dissolve it. If the clog is farther down than the trap, then you're out $4 and you need to get a plumber in with a drain auger.
The Zip-It works like a champ for the hair clogs in
the bathtub drain for which it was designed.
I actually just have used a hangar that I made into a hook on the end!!
You could try that before going to the store?
I don't bath my dogs in the tub anymore so we'll see when I
need to open the Zipit pkg up!
Not sure if it will cure the problem but another fan of the zip it. It's amazing- I use it frequently in drains where I can swear there should not be any hair or clogs, and it brings up gunk regularly. I am not sure where I bought it might be home depot but it really is worth buying and having around. Even though it seems to be cheap plastic, mine is most likely over 5 years old and going strong!
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