Slime in a bathroom sink pipe is mold growth and should be removed. You
can remove sink pipe slime by first removing the sink plug, then scrubbing and
applying a chemical to clean the drain. Things you'll need:
1. Bucket.
2. Liquid dish detergent.
3. Pliers.
4. Rubber gloves.
5. Scrub brush.
6. Paper towels or cloth towel.
7. All-purpose cleaning spray.
8. 1 cup baking soda.
9. Wire hanger.
10. Drain or bottle brush.
11. Drain-cleaning chemicals.
12. Water.
13. Sponge.
Instructions:
1. Fill a bucket with hot tap water mixed with liquid dish
detergent to create suds.
2. Go beneath the sink and locate the metal arm connected to
the drain plug through the pipe's u-bend. This is often a bracket with vertical
holes with a thinner metal bar running through a hole. According to Blocked
Drains website, you can unscrew the nut connecting the arm to the plug with
your fingers or pliers. Pull the arm or metal bar away, freeing the drain plug.
3. Put the drain plug into the bucket of suds to soak for about
15 minutes.
4. Pull the drain plug up and out of the drain. Scrub the plug
with a scrub brush to remove slime.
5. Spray the pipe and surrounding rim with all-purpose cleaner.
Pour 1 cup of baking soda into the drain. Allow the cleaner and soda to soak
for about 10 minutes.
6. Bend a wire hanger straight. Bend the hook portion so that
it is straight with a slight hook at the end; use pliers if you need to. Insert
the hook into the drain and fish out any debris. Cleaning the drain of hair and
debris helps a lot to unblock pipes.
7. Rinse the pipe with hot tap water. Pour the manufacturer's
recommended amount of drain-cleaning chemicals into the sink pipe and allow the
chemicals to dissolve the mold and slime in the pipe. Rinse the drain with tap
water. Clean the sink with all-purpose cleaner and a sponge. Reinstall the
drain plug beneath the sink, screwing the nut back into place on the metal arm
or bracket.
A
drain or bottle brush inserted into
the faucet cleans mold growth well.
Water
Quality Q & A
Below
are the some of the most frequently asked water quality questions and answers.
Why is my drinking
water discolored?
1.
White or
cloudy water: The cloudiness in your water may be
caused by tiny air bubbles.
2.
Blue
water: If you use a blue disinfectant in
your toilet, this may cause discoloration of your tap water. If the water
supply to your home was recently turned off, a condition may have been created
in which water from the toilet tank was siphoned into the plumbing of your
house. Do not drink this water. Flush your plumbing by opening each tap until
the water runs clear.
3.
Green
water: Standing water sometimes has a
greenish cast to it. Greenish water is most commonly associated with seasonal
blooms of algae in the water supply, a condition that in most cases poses no
health hazard.
4.
Brown or
yellow water from either tap on the FIRST DRAW:
The internal plumbing of your house may be the culprit if discolored water only
appears for a minute or two after your tap is turned on. After running your tap
for a few minutes, clean water from your water heater or water main will
replace the discolored water. If the discoloration bothers you, however, flush
the tap until the water becomes clear, saving the water for iron-loving plants.
5.
Brown or
yellow water from either tap, CONSTANTLY:
Sediments in water mains sometimes get stirred up when fire hydrants are used
and when the flow of water in mains is changed. These sediments may cause your
water to turn brown or yellow. Wait 30 to 40 minutes after you notice the
discolored water, and try turning on the cold water in your bathtub for a
minute or two. Discolored water due to sediments such as these poses no health
threat, but for aesthetic reasons you should avoid doing laundry until the
water clears up.
6.
Brown or
yellow water from hot tap only: If the
discoloration is detected only in your hot water supply, it is likely an
indication of an issue with your hot water heater. It is recommended that you
turn off your hot water heater and allow it to cool.
7.
Crystals: The crystals or sediment left behind after water evaporates
may be calcium carbonate.
My
drinking water often looks cloudy when first taken from a faucet and then it
clears. Why is that?
The cloudy water is caused by tiny
air bubbles in the water similar to the gas bubbles in soda.
Why do I
get blue-green stains on sink and tub fixtures?
The stain will form when there is
copper content in the water and water is able to stand and evaporate. The water
supplied to New Jersey American Water customers does not contain any measurable
amount of copper. But the water can pick up copper from the copper pipes and
fixtures of the household plumbing.
What is
the rust stain?
High iron levels in the water will
leave rust stains behind as the water evaporates and the iron oxidizes, leaving
the red iron tinge.
Why does
water sometimes taste/smell funny?
If you recently moved from an area
where the water contained very few
naturally occurring minerals, or you are accustomed to certain type of source
water, such as a well or surface water supply, your new water may taste
different due to the minerals it contains. The taste of domestic drinking water
varies with its source. It is important to note that the taste of the water
from a surface water source may change with the seasons.
How can I
improve the taste of my water?
The taste of water can be improved
simply by refrigerating your drinking water in a pitcher.
Why does
my water smell like rotten eggs?
It is natural to associate these
odors with the water because they are observed only when the water is turned
on. In this case, the odor is not in the water, it is simply the water pushing
the gas out of the drain. This can be verified by taking a glass of water from
the tap and walking away to another area to smell the glass of water. Run the
cold water for about 15 seconds into the drain that is to be disinfected, then
turn the water off. If the odor is detected only in your hot water supply, it
may be an indication that there is an issue with your hot water heater. A
sulfurous or rotten egg-like odor in the hot water is caused by bacteria
growing in the water heater. You should consult your owner's manual.
What are
those white flaky particles in my water?
Customers often call to report white
particles clogging their shower heads, faucet aerators or floating in the bath
tub or water glasses. Most residential water heaters contain a "dip
tube" that is commonly made of plastic. The particles are non toxic and do
not make the water toxic. First, confirm that the problem is limited to the hot
water.
What is the
difference between "hard" and "soft" water?
Hardness is a term used to describe
the high level of calcium and magnesium in the water. The use of water
softeners adds sodium to the water,
which acts as a softening agent. Soft water is either water that is low in
calcium or magnesium, or water that has been treated in a softener.
Why does
my dishwasher leave spots on my glasses?
Commercial
products are available that allow the water to drain from the glassware more
completely. Phosphate softens the water, allowing the soap to be more effective
in removing food residue. If a particular area has hard water, it is most
likely a result of the mineral deposits which form when the water evaporates.
Should I
get a home water softener?
A water softener can improve the
aesthetic qualities of your household water. For example, soap products perform
better in softer water. But a water softener does not improve the safety of
water as it relates to health. Most water softeners exchange sodium for
existing calcium and magnesium in the water and therefore, increase the sodium
content of the water. The sodium increase in softened water may be a concern to
you. According to Consumer Reports, water softeners can consume from 15 to 120
gallons of water for every 1,000 gallons of water processed. The decision to
purchase a home water softener is therefore one of personal preference.
Is there
lead in my water?
The water supplied by New Jersey
American Water contains no detectable lead. To eliminate the risk of lead
exposure from faucets, take these simple precautions:
1.
Flush Your
Tap: When water stands in lead soldered
pipes or brass fixtures for several hours, lead may dissolve into drinking
water. Conserve water whenever possible by using the first flush to wash the
dishes.
2.
Use Cold
Water for Cooking: Avoid cooking with water from the
hot water tap. Hot water can dissolve lead more quickly than cold water. If hot
water is needed, water can be drawn from the cold tap and heated on the stove.
3.
Check Home
Wiring: Have an electrician check the house
wiring. If grounding wires from electrical systems are attached to household
plumbing, corrosion and lead exposure may be greater.
Will a home treatment device improve the
safety of my water?
The tap water provided by New Jersey
American Water meets all federal and state drinking water standards set for
public health. Before purchasing a home water treatment unit, consider local
water quality, cost and maintenance of the unit, product performance and
certifications to make sure the unit will meet your needs.
Why are
their aerators on home water faucets?
When mixed with water, tiny air
bubbles from the aerator prevent the water from splashing too much. Because the
water flow is less, often half the regular flow, aerators also help to conserve
water.
Why do ice
cubes bulge from the top of the ice-cube trays?
Water expands when it freezes.
Because frozen water is expanded, it is lighter than water. Therefore, in the
winter, ice floats on the surface while the water underneath stays liquid.
Where can
I obtain additional information about my water quality?
View the Water Quality Report for
your water system.
