You may not need a plumber to fix a slow-draining sink

Q: Why does my bathroom sink drain so slowly? I removed the piping below and it was clear. Meanwhile, the tub and toilet drain normally. Also, how much could it cost to repair the sink drain problem?

A: It’s quite likely you’re experiencing a partial clog of hair and soap scum, but there are other possible causes, including:

When we posed your plight to several plumbers, they said a hair clog was the likeliest culprit.

One described how hair from brushing, shaving or beard-trimming goes down the drain, becomes matted and forms bird-nest-like snarls that attract soap bits and other items.

The pros say only an on-site inspection can determine for certain the cause of a slow or stopped sink drain. However, they suggest a few actions you can take before calling a plumber:

If one of these techniques seems to work, run hot water for several minutes to move the dislodged gunk through your pipes and out to the main sewer.

Costs for this work will vary, depending on the company, market and details and scope of the job. The pros we sampled mentioned prices ranging from $150 to $220 for simple line-snaking, or as much as $400 if they need to use a cable machine with a blade.

If a plumber or drain cleaner tells you the problem is with your home’s main line to the sewer, and that you’ll need to replace or reline it at a cost of several thousand dollars, take the time to get a second opinion. Also, make sure that any plumber you hire is appropriately licensed, insured and bonded, and has positive consumer reviews on a trusted site.

Experts say slow drains are inevitable, but you can reduce their occurrence by following a few steps:

This story was originally published October 16, 2014 at 2:52 PM with the headline "You may not need a plumber to fix a slow-draining sink ."