My bathroom sink has been draining slower by the day, and plumbers are fully booked until after Christmas. What can I try first?

Before diving into the process of unclogging your sink, check if the problem is isolated to just one sink or if it’s a more widespread plumbing issue. Turn on the faucets in other sinks around your home to see if they are draining slowly as well. This can help you determine if the problem is with your sink’s individual drain or if it’s part of a larger plumbing concern.

If only one sink is draining slowly, it’s likely the problem is with that particular sink’s plumbing. However, if multiple sinks are affected, it might be worth checking your main plumbing lines or considering that there might be a blockage further down the system. This initial test can save you time and effort by ensuring you’re addressing the right issue.

Bathroom sinks often have pop-up stoppers that catch hair and soap scum, which can quickly lead to a slow drain. To check this, remove the stopper from the sink. This may require unscrewing it or lifting it out, depending on the model. Once removed, clean off any visible hair or gunk that may have accumulated.