How do you clean out a bathroom sink overflow?

[Robert Green]

How do you clean out a bathroom sink overflow? This may be the original
sink from the 1940's with a opening about 1" by 2". It used to be able to
handle a reasonable overfill rate but now very little water actually goes
down through the overflow. Even a "toothbrushing trickle" flow from the
faucet can cause it to overflow.

--
Bobby G.

[pierre]

If I understand your question correctly, I would try, in succession:

1. one of these foaming cleaning products designed for cleaning
garbage disposals, under the assumption that it is full of small
particles of soap and other "things"
2. muriatic acid, with the idea that it's blocked by mineral deposits.
Be careful in using that product, but it works wonders on cleaning
deposits in traps and other areas where mineral deposits accumulate.

Pierre

[HellT]

Zip it good:

http://zipitclean.com/

I love these things. They work great.

[Oren]

I'd try a wire coat hanger, forced from the top towards the drain. If
the overflow is clogged I think it would be near the bottom drain of
the sink - at the tail pipe piece.

CLR might help by poring (funnel) into the top overflow opening and
allowed to work. A clog in the pipe drain needs to cleaned, if that is
the problem.

Avoid Muratic Acid if you have metal parts in the drain, pipes, etc.

[Robert Green]

"pierre" <pda...@bw.edu> wrote in message
news:d0e10fea-8837-4e87...@y4g2000vbx.googlegroups.com...

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks. I hadn't thought of muriatic acid, just a small sized "mini snake"
I got a Harbor Freight to clean the sunroof drain tubes in my Honda.

--
Bobby G.
*HOLCOMB, JOHN NOBLE Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company D,
2d Battalion, 7th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division. Place and date: Near Quan
Loi, Republic of Vietnam, 3 December 1968. Entered service at: Corvallis,
Oreg. Born: 11 June 1946, Baker, Oreg. During the enemy withdrawal an enemy
rocket hit Sgt. Holcomb's position, destroying his machine gun and severely
wounding him. Despite his painful wounds, Sgt. Holcomb crawled through the
grass fire and exploding mortar and rocket rounds to move the members of his
squad, everyone of whom had been wounded, to more secure positions.

[Red Green]

"Robert Green" <robert_g...@yah00.com> wrote in
news:j5d6jg$f8s$1...@speranza.aioe.org:

Along with other suggestions are brushes used in cleaning fish tank setups.

http://pet.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/pPETS-3762678t400.jpg

[bob haller]

On Sep 21, 4:11 pm, Red Green <postmas...@127.0.0.1> wrote:
> "Robert Green" <robert_green1...@yah00.com> wrote innews:j5d6jg$f8s$1...@speranza.aioe.org:

you might try pouring very hot water down the overflow, that may open
it up

[Bob F]

1st thing I'd try - the garden hose.

Wrap a rag aroung the outside of the hose end. Press it firmly over the overflow
to form a seal so water will only be able to go down the overflow. Have your
assistant turn on the water, then turn it off after it has pushed crud down. If
that doesn't help, then consider the chemicals.

[HeyBub]

Alternative to the muriatic acid is a strong base (i.e., lye). Most
drain-cleaning products are in this category.

What I like is a concentrated lye liquid. Using appropriate caution,
spooning the stuff into the overflow should do the trick.

Keep the bottle on the countertop and give the overflow drain a dose every
day for a week.

DO NOT confuse the drain cleaner with your mouthwash.

[Robert Green]

"HeyBub" <hey...@NOSPAMgmail.com> wrote

<stuff snipped>

> Alternative to the muriatic acid is a strong base (i.e., lye). Most
> drain-cleaning products are in this category.
>
> What I like is a concentrated lye liquid.

Straight up or on the rocks?

> Using appropriate caution,
> spooning the stuff into the overflow should do the trick.
>
> Keep the bottle on the countertop and give the overflow drain a dose every
> day for a week.
>
> DO NOT confuse the drain cleaner with your mouthwash.

Once upon a time when I had a color darkroom in my kitchen I used to use 1
gallon milk containers for the various non-oxidizing chemicals like
Ektaprint bleach. I got up in the middle of the night to take some aspirin
for a headache, and I mistakenly took a swig from the bleach bottle. Since
then I've been excruciatingly careful about putting non-food stuff in food
containers. I also thoroughly check siphon tubes before sucking on them to
start the flow after I sucked a very healthy and large cockroach into my
mouth trying to drain a gas lawnmower tank. Yuck!

--
Bobby G.
*JENKINS, ROBERT H., JR. Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S.
Marine Corps, 3d Reconnaissance Battalion, 3d Marine Division (Rein), FMF.
Place and date: Fire Support Base Argonne, Republic of Vietnam, 5 March
1969. Entered service at: Jacksonville, Fla. Born: 1 June 1948, Interlachen,
Fla. A North Vietnamese soldier threw a hand grenade into the friendly
emplacement. Fully realizing the inevitable results of his actions, Pfc.
Jenkins quickly seized his comrade, and pushing the man to the ground, he
leaped on top of the marine to shield him from the explosion. Absorbing the
full impact of the detonation, Pfc. Jenkins was seriously injured and
subsequently succumbed to his wounds.

[Robert Green]

"Oren" <Or...@127.0.0.1> wrote in message

Good point. I think I'll try the snake first and if that doesn't work, I'll
hunt down one of those Zip-it doodads HellT suggested (THANKS, HT!). I saw
another drain cleaner kit with an interesting looking disposable plastic
snake that might work.

Thanks to everyone for their input!

--
Bobby G.
*JIMENEZ, JOSE FRANCISCO Rank and organization: Lance Corporal, U.S. Marine
Corps, Company K, 3d Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division. Place and
date: Quang Nam Province, Republic of Vietnam, 28 August 1969. Entered
service at: Phoenix, Ariz. Born: 20 March 1946, Mexico City, Mex. L/Cpl.
Jimenez' unit came under heavy attack by North Vietnamese soldiers concealed
in well camouflaged emplacements. L/Cpl. Jimenez reacted by seizing the
initiative and plunging forward toward the enemy positions. He personally
destroyed several enemy personnel and silenced an antiaircraft weapon.
Shouting encouragement to his companions, L/Cpl. Jimenez continued his
aggressive forward movement. He slowly maneuvered to within 10 feet of
hostile soldiers who were firing automatic weapons from a trench and, in the
face of vicious enemy fire, destroyed the position. Although he was by now
the target of concentrated fire from hostile gunners intent upon halting his
assault, L/Cpl. Jimenez continued to press forward. As he moved to attack
another enemy soldier, he was mortally wounded.

[Thomas]

What about Drano?

[jimmy]

My methods
1st
run a thin stiff wire down the hole and try to get it where it come out
then tie a small rag (make certain it will not come off) and run it also.
I keep my kitchen sink drains wide open that way.

2nd
remove sink, take to driveway and power wash.
I do not use chemicals for anything in my drains
I power washed a toilet and you wouldn't believe the calcium deposits
that were removed.

[Robert Green]

"jimmy" <jimmy...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:j5m2au$eoi$1...@dont-email.me...

> My methods
> 1st
> run a thin stiff wire down the hole and try to get it where it come out
> then tie a small rag (make certain it will not come off) and run it also.
> I keep my kitchen sink drains wide open that way.

I'd lose the small rag. It's a given. (-:

> 2nd
> remove sink, take to driveway and power wash.

That's not going to happen. Old plumbing and the most delicate in the
house. Remove it and I will be committing to a major replumb. (-: I've
decided on lye and a small snake.

> I do not use chemicals for anything in my drains
> I power washed a toilet and you wouldn't believe the calcium deposits
> that were removed.

Yes, I would! Now I have to figure out how to get rid of the rust trails
all around the rim of a pretty new toilet.

Thanks for your input!

--
Bobby G.

[draincleaning...@gmail.com]

To prevent bathroom sink overflow Check your drains.Drains Can Be Clogged By Many Reasons & Clogged Drains Are The Most Dreadful Plumbing Problem For Everyone.Contact Professionals To Unclog Your Drain Visit - http://www.draincleaningservice.ca

[coh...@gmail.com]

Problem solved! Use a slim jim car door opener tool. $9 on amazon (Dorman help 75490 door unlocked tool). Make sure your drain opening is big enough to accept this tool. Tried a coat hanger for 20 minutes, no luck. Cleared the rusted/corroded overflow drain out in 10 seconds with this tool. Another tip, if you are replacing the plastic overflow drain cover leave the old one in while you are reaming out the drain so you don't scratch/chip the ceramic rim.