First things first, have you ever seen the sink overflow hole? Most people have no idea where it is or what it does on the bathroom sink. Just as the name suggests, the sink overflow hole is a small hole located on the top section of your sink just below the faucet.
Despite it being right there in most people’s faces, the overflow hole is invincible to almost everyone. Did you know that the sink overflow hole can save lives? Continue reading to find out more. If you’re concerned about your bathroom sink overflow hole and want a professional to take a look, contact us.
The bathroom sink overflow hole has two main functions:
- To prevent overflowing water from spilling onto the floor.
- It introduces air into the drainage system thus helping the sink to drain faster.
So, how can the overflow hole save lives?
A running faucet can easily trigger a series of disasters.
Without the overflow hole, the sink water will surely find its way onto your floor.
From there, it can easily come into contact with a nearby electrical hazard. And just like that, an electric fire is started.
How does the sink overflow work?
The sink overflow hole is simply an opening that directs the water into the sink overflow system.
The sink overflow system is a hidden channel running behind and under your bathroom sink. Chances are you’ve never seen the channel in your entire life.
At the top of the channel is the visible sink overflow hole.
The channel runs like a pipe and ends in yet another opening that dumps the overflowing water into the drainage system that is just below your sink basin.
Is the sink overflow system a precautionary measure against drainage clogs?
Myth: The sink overflow system is a permanent solution that will continuously prevent your sink from overflowing in the event of a clogged drain.
Sure, the sink overflow system will drain out as much water as possible. However, it’s only a temporary fix.
If the faucet was left open at full capacity, the water will, at one point, overwhelm the overflow system. And eventually, the overflowing water will find its way onto your floor.
In fact, the overflow system won’t be of any help if you’re dealing with a clogged drainage system.
Remember, both the basin and overflow channel share the same drainage system below the basin. If the drainage system is faulty, then an overflow is inevitable.
The overflow system isn’t a precautionary measure against sink drainage clogs. Therefore, don’t rely on it to save your back when the drainage system is clogged and your sink overflows.
How does the overflow system help the sink to drain faster?
In case you didn’t know, drains require air to function. The air creates a suction force that will suck in and drain the water.
The sink overflow system helps in introducing air into the drainage system. Thus, speeding the drainage process.
How to clean the bathroom sink overflow hole
The sink overflow hole can easily get gunked with dirt and debris as the years go back. Not only will the debris prevent the sinkhole from doing its duties, but a dirty sinkhole is also very unhygienic.
In the worst-case scenario, a dirty hole can cause the entire sink area to stink and smell like the sewers.
Here is how you clean the sink overflow hole.
While you’re at it, you might as well clean the entire overflow channel. We’ll also show you how to go about that.
Use zip ties
Long zip ties are not only flexible but are also firm enough to be able to enable you to push away any clogging materials from the overflow channel.
It’s easy. Insert your zip tie into the sink overflow hole and reach in as deep as you possibly can.
Next, move the zip tie up and down to dislodge all the residue.
Once you’re done, pour in some water through the hole to wash down any stubborn and sticky residue.
Using a rubber hose
You can follow up on the first procedure with this one to make sure that the sink overflow channel is sparkling clean.
Plug your basin’s drain with a rubber plug, then open the faucet and let it run for several minutes.
Once the sink is overflowing and water is going down the overflow hole, take your rubber hose and stick it into the hole.
Next, blow in huge gulps of air into the overflow channel. Continue blowing until the air you blow smoothly flows through the channel. That is a sign that the overflow channel is now free from dirt and residue.
How to clean a stinking bathroom sink overflow hole
Nothing is as bad as waking up to a stinky bathroom sink early in the morning before heading to work. It will spoil your entire day.
Here is how you can fix it at home.
You’ll need the following things:
- A cup of white vinegar.
- A cup of baking powder.
- Two cups of boiling water.
- A plastic funnel or tube.
Take the funnel or tube and stick it into the sink overflow hole.
Next, pour the cup of baking powder into the overflow channel. Baking powder has some alkaline properties that will neutralize any acidic dirt. Also, when baking powder reacts with water, it causes an effervescence that pushes the cleaning liquid deep into the area to be cleaned.
After that, follow it up with a cup of white vinegar. Vinegar is a famous and trustworthy cleaning agent.
The baking powder will react with the vinegar and produce a fizzing sound—That’s the sound of cleanliness.
Next, allow the baking powder and vinegar to sit together for around 15 minutes.
Then, follow it up with the two cups of hot boiling water. The stink should now be gone.
Is your sink still stinking? Repeat the process one more time.
What is that? You don’t have the time to play Chemistry at home?
Then you can easily buy enzyme cleaners from your nearby home improvement store. The enzyme cleaner will eat the bacteria and ultimately get rid of the stinky smell.
