Have you ever wondered what the function of the hole under the faucet in sinks is? This is a sink overflow hole that stops dirty water from spilling everywhere when the sink overflows. It’s no wonder why cleaning your sink overflow pipe is essential to allow it to drain smoothly.
If the overflow pipe becomes clogged, it will not drain the excess water and this can cause flooding. Additionally, if the sink overflow is dirty, it can trigger mold growth, especially in your bathroom.
I was exactly in that situation. That’s why we’ve put together this post on how to clean your sink overflow pipe and keep it working optimally.
The tools must clean the overflow pipe of the sink
The process of preparing to clean the sink overflow pipe requires gathering the substances and tools that you will use.
- One cup of distilled white vinegar
- One cup of baking soda
- Two liters of hot water
- A tube or funnel made of non-conductive material, such as silicone, which can withstand heat without transferring it.
You may have these tools at home, but if not, you can quickly get them at a home improvement store near you. Once you have everything ready, it’s time to clean up!
How to clean a sink overflow pipe
Follow these steps to clean your sink overflow pipe.
Step 1. Insert the silicone tube or funnel into the pipe
The tube or funnel should be small enough to fit into the pipe. However, since the silicone does not produce much frictional force, you just need to relax and gently twist the funnel back and forth as it goes deeper. Do not put the tube in the hole at the bottom and try to push it up into the overflow section, as this could turn into a frustrating experience.
Step 2. Pour the cup of baking soda into the tube
This should not be a complicated action. But let’s say that as a child you tried to fill a limited designated area with a powdered substance, or you ever tried to make a good picture with chocolate powder on top of the milk latte mold. In this case, you understand that it can be more complicated than it seems. A little patience and trepidation will do you good.
Step 3. Pour white vinegar into the funnel or silicone tube
Gently and slowly pour in the white vinegar. The soda and vinegar will mix to form an effusion, and this reaction is what we need to remove mold from the surface of the sink. A strong stream will waste your white vinegar, damage your gas build-up, and won’t help you solve the puzzle of how to clean your sink overflow pipe using soda and vinegar.
Step 4. Wait! Don’t rush the process
Let the substances sit in the sink overflow pipe for a few minutes to give the chemical reaction enough time to react completely. It shouldn’t take long; 15 minutes is enough for the two substances to work, while you enjoy some funny videos on Tiktok and boil some water for the next phase.
Step 5. Flush the pipe with hot water
After the baking soda and white vinegar have sat for 15 minutes, you can now wash them off. Take hot water and carefully distribute it over the overflow pipe of the sink. Remember that your hands are the most vulnerable part of this procedure, so be careful not to splash your hands with hot water or steam burned. If the process seems impossible to manage on your own, seek help.
Step 6. Evaluate and repeat
You may be fine with one cycle depending on how bad things were before the trial. On the other hand, the smell might weaken but remain, indicating that you should repeat the process from steps one through six.
The procedure does not take much time and is not too demanding in terms of effort. So, you might consider doing a routine process check of your sink overflow pipe. It will help you avoid problems and guarantee the consistent functionality of the sink.
How to make sure your sink overflow pipe doesn’t get blocked
We hope we have encouraged you to learn more about how to clean your sink and overflow pipe. So, it is important to clean the sink frequently as this will save you from the unpleasant experience of unclogging it and also help you to deal with the bad smell.
For your cleanse, get the following:
- Pipe cleaner or brush
- Pipe or funnel, like the one you used to unclog the pipe
- Hot water
Step 1: Stick the pipe cleaner or brush into the sink overflow hole
We can’t say that pushing the tube into the overflow hole is easy, but you have to do it. Again, your pipe cleaner or brush needs to be the perfect size for such a job. Use the sink overflow hole to reach the area; the pipe under the sink won’t let you access it.
Step 2: Scrape by pushing the brush back and forth
In this phase, you must remove all the build-up using force. Be gentle with your hands; be careful not to get hurt by the sink faucet or any surrounding stuff, but make sure that the bristles of the brush rub the necessary surface. When you do this, have someone prepare hot water for you, or take a break and boil it yourself.
Step 3: Brush as you go in
Once you feel that the frictions are not removing any dirt, take the cleaning brush and stick the funnel. If you do not remember the details of the procedure, see the unclogging part, step one.
Step 4: Pour hot water
Gently and slowly pour hot water into the pipe. Watch your hands, because you don’t want to get hurt. The procedure will loosen and wash off the remaining residue based on how bad things were to begin with.
Step 6: Evaluate and repeat
Move the pipe slowly while checking to see if there is any buildup that can be removed. If you find any, repeat the procedure from step one. If there is no sediment, the work is done.
How to use an enzyme cleaner to clean your sink overflow pipe
Enzyme cleaner is a perfect substance that you can use to clean a sink overflow pipe. In most cases, enzyme detergents come in liquid and powder form. You will need to mix the powder with water before using it, pour it down the drain and wash it off.
No matter which type you use, you are sure of good results. All you have to do is pour the detergent into the sink overflow and let it sit overnight. The next morning, pour hot water to remove all deposits. In many cases, enzyme cleaners effectively treat odors and dirt. So you may not need more than one iteration.
Cleaning tips
The following tips will also help you clean your sink overflow pipe
Use more regular detergents instead of chemicals
You may be wondering what chemical you can use to clean your sink overflow pipe. Since not all chemicals are safe, you need to be careful about what you use.
Any substance you can throw down the drain is ok. However, avoid using bleach as it provides minimal cleaning and possible problems. You can make one effective drain cleaner by combining water with sodium bicarbonate. leave let the mixture rest for a few minutes, then pour it into the overflow pipe. Rinse with boiling water.
Use a zip tie to clear the sink overflow pipe
Plastic zip ties are ideal because they easily bend around the curve of the sink and stay strong to remove sludge or organic bacteria that has built up at the bottom of the drain.
Insert the knots pointed end down into the drain, then twist it side to side and up and down to loosen and remove any build-up it might find. Use the longer zipper, as the short one could fall into the sink overflow pipe.
The final word
Cleaning the sink, treating clogs and knowing how to clean the sink overflow pipe are essential. It can be unpleasant and confusing, but everyone should be familiar with it because it will make our lives more comfortable and easier.
This guide gives you practical ideas on where to start and how to clean a sink overflow pipe when you encounter a problem. Now it’s time to get everything you need and jump into action.
Follow these steps:
- Insert the silicone tube or funnel into the pipe
- Pour the cup of baking soda into the tube
- Pour white vinegar into the funnel or silicone tube
- Let the substances sit in the sink overflow pipe for 15 minutes
- Wash the pipe with hot water
- Evaluate and repeat
Remember that there is a plumbing expert ready to help you when the going gets tough and you feel unable to solve the problems yourself. So don’t hesitate to call them when needed.
Feel free to comment if you have any questions.
