Ever stood over your bathroom sink, frustrated because the water just won’t go down? Chances are, hair is the culprit. A bathroom sink clogged with hair isn’t just annoying—it’s one of the most common plumbing problems homeowners face in Toronto and across the GTA.
Hair soon becomes a persistent obstruction that cannot be removed by hot water when it comes into contact with soap scum, toothpaste, and other common debris. If left unaddressed, these blockages may result in more serious plumbing problems, disagreeable smells, and even pipe damage.
In this blog, we’ll walk you through why hair clogs form in your sink drain, the best DIY methods to unclog your bathroom sink drain, tools you can use, and when it’s time to call a plumber. You’ll also learn a few preventative tips so you can stop bathroom clogs before they even start.
Contact us for fast and reliable bathroom sink clog removal in Toronto, Etobicoke, and Mississauga.
Why Your Bathroom Sink Clogs With Hair
A clogged bathroom sink drain rarely happens overnight. It’s usually a slow build-up that worsens over weeks or months. Hair is the number one culprit, and here’s why it causes so much trouble:
- Hair doesn’t dissolve. Unlike soap or toothpaste, hair stays intact and tangles inside the pipe.
- It creates a net. Strands act like a fishing line, trapping soap scum and other debris.
- It sticks to rough surfaces. Old or corroded pipes have small imperfections that catch hair easily.
Add in everyday things that fall down the drain—like beard trimmings, lotion residue, or even the odd cotton swab—and your sink drain becomes a magnet for clogs.
Signs Your Bathroom Sink Is Clogged With Hair
Not every clogged drain looks the same. There are instances when the warning signs are clear, and other times they develop gradually until your sink is unusable. Being aware of what to look for can help you avoid expensive plumbing repairs as well as wasted time and stress. These are the most typical indicators that debris or hair is clogging your bathroom sink, and you shouldn’t disregard them.
- Water Draining Slowly – If your kitchen sink or bathroom sink takes forever to empty, it’s often a sign of a clogged sink drain. Knowing how to unclog a sink in no time can help you clear the clog before it worsens.
- Standing Water in the Bathtub or Shower – Shower drain clogs caused by shower drain hair can leave water pooling around your feet. Using a drain auger or other ways to unclog can clear hair and restore proper flow.
- Bad Odours Coming from Drains – A clogged sink drain in your kitchen and bathroom sinks can trap food particles or hair, causing unpleasant smells. Learn how to unclog and drain immediately to stop the odour from spreading.
- Frequent Gurgling Sounds – If you hear strange noises from the drain line, it may be struggling to push water through sink drain clogs. With the right drain clearing method, you can unclog your sink and protect your pipes.
- Needing to Use a Plunger Too Often – When you constantly rely on a plunger, it’s a sign of deeper shower drain or kitchen sink issues. Installing a drain cover and knowing how to unclog properly can help you clear the clog and keep the sink in top shape.
If your sink doesn’t drain properly even after trying simple fixes, the clog may be deeper in the drain line—and that’s when professional plumbing services are needed.
DIY Methods to Unclog a Bathroom Sink Clogged With Hair
Sometimes you can unclog your bathroom sink without calling a plumber. Let’s look at safe, effective methods that actually work.
1. Use a Hair Removal Tool
A plastic hair removal tool is inexpensive and widely available at hardware stores. It’s designed specifically to grab hair and pull it out of the drain.
Steps:
- Remove the drain stopper.
- Insert the tool into the drain opening.
- Wiggle it around to hook onto hair and debris.
- Slowly pull it out—then grab the hair with paper towels.
This tool works best for surface-level clogs near the top of the sink drain.
2. Try a Drain Snake (Plumber’s Snake)
For deeper sink clogs, a drain snake (also called a plumbing snake or auger) is your best bet.
Steps:
- Remove the stopper and any standing water.
- Until you encounter resistance, insert the snake into the drain.
- Rotate the handle to catch the hair clog.
- Slowly pull the snake out with the hair attached.
Using a drain snake in the pipe can clear stubborn clogs that are out of reach of basic tools.
3. Baking Soda and Vinegar Method
This is a classic home remedy that helps break down soap scum and hair buildup.
Steps:
- Pour boiling hot water down the drain.
- Add 1 cup of baking soda into the drain opening.
- Then, pour also 1 cup of vinegar immediately after.
- Let the mixture fizz for about 5 minutes.
- Flush with another litre of boiling water.
The chemical reaction between vinegar and baking soda helps loosen minor clogs while disinfecting the drain. It’s safer than chemical drain cleaners and eco-friendly.
4. Remove the Sink Trap
If the clog won’t budge, it may be stuck in the P-trap (the curved section of pipe under your sink).
Steps:
- Place a bucket under the sink trap.
- Unscrew the slip nuts with pliers.
- Remove the trap and empty it of hair and debris.
- To test, run water and reattach the trap.
This method takes a little DIY confidence but can completely clear stubborn clogs.
Tools That Help Unclog a Bathroom Sink
Every homeowner should keep a few drain cleaning tools handy. Here’s a list of useful items for tackling bathroom sink clogs:
- Hair removal tool – Quick fix for shallow clogs.
- Drain snake (plumber’s snake) – Best for deeper blockages.
- Bucket & pliers – Essential if you need to remove the sink trap.
- Rubber gloves – Protect your hands from mess and bacteria.
- Boiling kettle – Helpful for flushing drains after cleaning.
- Drain hair catcher – Prevents hair from going down in the first place.
Reach out today for expert plumbing solutions to keep your sinks clog-free in Toronto, Etobicoke, Mississauga, or any other areas of the GTA.
Why Chemical Drain Cleaners Aren’t the Best Solution
When your sink isn’t draining, it’s tempting to reach for a chemical drain cleaner. But here’s why plumbers strongly recommend against it:
- Harsh on pipes – The chemicals can corrode older pipes and lead to leaks.
- Toxic – Fumes are dangerous, and splashes can burn your skin.
- Temporary fix – They often push clogs further down instead of fully removing them.
Instead, stick with safe DIY methods or call a professional plumber for drain cleaning.
How to Prevent Hair Clogs in Your Bathroom Sink
Once you’ve gone through the trouble of unclogging your bathroom sink drain, the last thing you want is for the problem to come back. Here are some preventative tips:
- Install a drain hair catcher – Stops hair before it falls down the drain.
- Clean the drain stopper regularly – Soap scum and hair often collect around it.
- Avoid rinsing large amounts of hair – Brush your hair before using the sink.
- Flush with hot water weekly – Helps clear minor buildup before it becomes a clog.
- Use baking soda and vinegar monthly – A natural way to maintain drain flow.
These small habits can save you from costly plumbing services down the road.
When to Call a Professional Plumber
DIY solutions are helpful, but sometimes you need professional help to fix the problem. Call a plumber if:
- The sink is still clogged after trying multiple methods.
- Water backs up into other drains (like your shower or floor drain).
- You notice foul odours that don’t go away.
- You hear gurgling in other fixtures when using your sink.
- You deal with frequent or persistent drain clogs.
If you’ve been wondering how to unclog a sink drain or are dealing with water in the sink that won’t go down, the issue might be deeper in the drain pipe or even connected to your bathtub drain. While you can try to unclog a drain using DIY tools and remedies, recurring clogs often signal a more complex plumbing issue. A licensed Toronto plumber can perform a camera inspection, snaking, or even hydro-jetting to fully clear your bathroom sink drain and restore smooth water flow.
Absolute Draining & Plumbing: Your Toronto Drain Experts
At Absolute Draining & Plumbing, we’ve been helping homeowners across Toronto and the GTA for more than 20 years. Our team understands how frustrating a clogged bathroom sink full of hair can be—and we know how to fix the problem quickly and permanently.
Whether it’s drain cleaning, snaking your drain, or repairing stubborn clogs, our experienced plumbers use professional-grade tools to restore proper flow. We also offer 24/7 emergency plumbing services because we know plumbing problems don’t wait for business hours.
We back up our work with a 25-year warranty on drain repairs and flat-rate pricing, so there are no surprises. If your bathroom sink isn’t draining, don’t wait for the problem to get worse—call the experts today.
Connect with our team for trusted sink and drain cleaning services throughout Toronto, Etobicoke, and Mississauga.
Keep Your Bathroom Sink Clear of Hair Clogs
Hair may seem harmless, but when it collects inside your bathroom sink drain, it becomes one of the most common causes of clogs in Canadian homes. From slow drainage and foul odours to standing water and plumbing emergencies, ignoring the issue only makes it worse.
The good news? With the right tools—like a drain snake, baking soda and vinegar, or even a simple hair removal tool—you can often unclog your bathroom sink drain on your own. But if the blockage is too stubborn, or you’d rather not deal with the mess, it’s time to call a professional plumber.
For expert help with clogged bathroom sink drains in Toronto, contact Absolute Draining & Plumbing today via form or phone number 416-252-5557 for fast, reliable service.
