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Njmurvin's avatar
Njmurvin
Explorer II
Jun 09, 2016

Bathroom sink drains slowly - could be check valve?

First trip out with my new-to-me AF 27-5L. The bathroom sink drains very slowly. Also, there is slight tank odor when I open the sink cabinet. At first I suspected that the trap may be clogged (trailer is 5 years old). I will try cleaning the trap first, but I'm now suspecting the under-sink check valve. The problem with replacing that valve is that it practically bumps into the bottom of the sink top (we're talking less than 1/16th inch clearance from the bottom of the sink top) with literally no room to unscrew it. Is this a typical installation? Does it have to be so high (i.e. does it have to be as high as the top of a full sink)?

9 Replies

  • Njmurvin's avatar
    Njmurvin
    Explorer II
    Jun 13, 2016
    Zip strip did the trick! Not that much gunk in there but it cleared it up nonetheless.
  • larry_barnhart's avatar
    larry_barnhart
    Explorer
    Jun 10, 2016
    The above post about cutting the pipe is my thinking also. If room is limited a nylon string will cut the pipe if you go around the pipe and using both hands pull the string like sawing and the heat will cut very nicely.

    chevman
  • Klueck's avatar
    Klueck
    Explorer
    Jun 10, 2016
    There is a gadget called a zip strip you can buy at Walmart, Home Depot. It has ragged edges, you slip it down the drain and pull up hair, gunk. Try that first. Cheap.
  • Nutinelse2do's avatar
    Nutinelse2do
    Explorer
    Jun 10, 2016
    We just cleaned our bathroom trap today, and it was disgusting. Smelled big tim, as soon as it came off. Check that first.
  • aslakson's avatar
    aslakson
    Explorer
    Jun 10, 2016
    Liquid Plumber Pro Foaming - pour it in, let it work for half an hour, then flush it down. Only thing that works for us - and we've done the snake thing and the check valve thing.

    al
  • MFL's avatar
    MFL
    Nomad II
    Jun 09, 2016
    I am thinking if the air admittance valve was bad, the smell would be real bad, not just a "little smell". Yes, you are right to check the sink drain trap first.

    Jerry
  • Njmurvin's avatar
    Njmurvin
    Explorer II
    Jun 09, 2016
    Artum Snowbird wrote:
    Recently at home I used a piece of mechanics wire, and fished down the shower and sinks. Found gobs of hair and other neat stuff. Once you get hold of it by pulling the little hook at the end of the wire, you can get a lot of goo, junk, and other plugs back up and things might run a lot better out the hole.

    I have one of those zip-it plastic drain cleaner tools (basically a commercial version of what you describe) that I will try first. If that doesn't fix it, then maybe remove the trap. I'm suspicious of the check valve because that would explain both symptoms (slow drain and odor).
  • Artum_Snowbird's avatar
    Artum_Snowbird
    Explorer
    Jun 09, 2016
    Recently at home I used a piece of mechanics wire, and fished down the shower and sinks. Found gobs of hair and other neat stuff. Once you get hold of it by pulling the little hook at the end of the wire, you can get a lot of goo, junk, and other plugs back up and things might run a lot better out the hole.

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