I saw another thread here on faucets, so I figured it would be OK to ask this.

My bathroom sink has become a "slow drain," indicating a clog in the trap. I went under the sink with some slip-joint pliers and proceeded to loosen both ends of the P-trap.

However, the pipe will not disengage at the far end of the trap. I cannot get the threaded fastener to completely separate. It's PVC plastic. I can't believe it's stripped, but I'm not willing to re-fasten the connectors and dump a bunch of chemicals into the sink.

Any suggestions?

Used a plunger yet?

You may know this, but it's a compression fitting with a "tail" of the pipe extending into it. Once the threads are free, you still need to slide the ring against the friction of the gasket.

Go buy one of those "hair zip it" things and try it, if it's in the trip lever or trap it will work.
Zip it

I use them all the time (and I have all the other expensive options)

quote:

Originally posted by cas:
Go buy one of those "hair zip it" things and try it, if it's in the trip lever or trap it will work.
Zip it

I use them all the time (and I have all the other expensive options)

Yep, this first. Saves much frustration.

Have you removed the pop-up stopper already to make sure that's not the issue? Soap and hair buildup around the stopper can slow water drainage.

While you have the stopper out, take a wet vac to the drain. You may need to plug the hole where the pivot rod enters the drain pipe temporarily for maximum suction.

quote:

Originally posted by gspdude:
Have you removed the pop-up stopper already to make sure that's not the issue?

Yup. #1 issue, the pop-up rod transversing through the pop-up is a beautifully-engineered mechanism for catching hair. Which begats soap. Which grabs dirt. More hair. Grease ...

Sounds like the threaded trap nut is cross-threaded. A new plastic trap is four bucks. Into the wall, p-trap. Into the deck, s-trap. Lav sinks are typically 1 ¼" ... I've got two of them in chrome on my shelf ... 17 gauge, naturally

Pop up stopper was hair collector making drain real slow. Took about 10 minutes after I figured out P trap was clear.