clogged laundry room sink drain

Fix That Clogged Laundry Room Sink (4 Easy-To-Do Ideas!)

ByEli Aruri

You need to learn how to unclog a clogged laundry room sink if it’s taking too long to drain. This article has everything you need to know about this common plumbing issue. We’ll provide answers that will get your utility sink drain flowing quicker than ever.

Prevent a Clog in Your Laundry Room Sink

Whether your sink is currently slow or you want to guarantee that this common plumbing issue never impacts your home, the following are the most straightforward solutions to avoid laundry room drain clogs:

  • Use a lint catcher for the washing machine hose. To prevent any lint or debris from reaching your sink’s drain, attach a lint trap to the end of the washing machine hose.
  • Install a lint catcher for your washing machine hose. To prevent waste from reaching the sink’s drain, install a lint trap at the end of the washing machine hose.
  • Fix the problem with hard water. A whole-house water softener can fix the problem and lessen the chance of clogs if hard water is the issue.
clogged laundry room sink - attach lint trap to hose
As noted in the second bullet point above, installing a lint catcher is a great way to keep debris-filled water from flowing into your laundry room sink drain and clogging it. This photo is a good before and after of how much debris can be caught from just one load.

What Causes a Clogged Laundry Room Sink?

The sink into which the washing machine drains can clog for a variety of reasons, just like any other sink in your home. The following are the most frequent causes of utility sink clogs:

  • Debris. Change, tissues, and other debris left in pockets can find their way into the washing machine and out through the hose. The force of the water propels the change or other items down the drain and into the utility sink. Debris of a larger size might clog the drain and produce a backup.
  • Lint. Fabric fuzz doesn’t just fall out of your clothes when you put them in the dryer. The lint from the washing machine can easily find its way into the utility sink. If lint gets into the drain, it can clump together and produce a significant blockage.
  • Laundry detergent. Some soaps can coat pipes and create poor drainage, particularly if hair or lint gets caught in the sticky buildup.
  • Hard water. Hard water in your home is caused by high levels of minerals (such as calcium and magnesium). When hard water comes into contact with soap, detergents, or cleaning agents, it can clog drain pipes.
clogged laundry room sink - hard water calcium buildup
This is the kind of buildup from hard water minerals that causes a clogged laundry room sink drain. It will also cause clogs in other drains and pipes throughout your home. A whole-house water softener will prevent this type of sticky buildup.

How to Fix a Clogged Laundry Room Sink

You can still fix a slow-draining utility sink if you skipped any important preventative steps or your best efforts failed. Here are ways to unclog a clogged laundry room sink:

  1. Use a plunger. Fill the sink to the point where the plunger’s lower edge is submerged. Allow the sink’s plunger to form a seal by lowering it. If a section of the clog becomes dislodged, simply reach into the drain and pull the rest out.
  2. Use a pipe snake. Install a pipe snake in the drain to allow it to flow as far as possible via the u-shaped pipe under the sink. Simply turn the pipe snake handle to break up the obstruction as soon as you hit it.
  3. Use Dishwashing Liquid and Boiling Water. Remove all of the water from the sink. Pour the dishwashing liquid into the drain first, then the boiling water. Hopefully, you are able to break the clog right away.
  4. Dismantle the drain pipe. The u-shaped drain pipe beneath the sink may be easily removed to allow the debris to drain into a pail below it. It should be removed and cleaned. If the clog persists, insert a pipe snake into the pipe that connects to the u-pipe. Replace the pipe after it has been unclogged, and tighten all of the nuts.
Watch this video here (or on our YouTube channel) to see how boiling water and dish soap can unclog a drain, including your bathroom, kitchen, or laundry sink.

Final Thoughts

While a do-it-yourself repair is cost-effective, it won’t always work for your situation. The bottom line is no two clogs are the same. Some require less effort and expertise, while some require more. If none of the above plumbing tips work, a skilled plumber can safely and securely remove the blockage.

Call 1-Tom-Plumber

Don’t hesitate to contact us here or call us at 1-Tom-Plumber (1-866-758-6237) if you need help with a clogged laundry room sink.

1-Tom-Plumber’s certified team of plumbers and drain technicians respond immediately to any emergency plumbing, drain cleaning, or water damage problem. We also handle the excavation of underground water lines and sewer main lines. Our immediate-response team is available every day and night of the year, even on holidays.

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