During this unprecedented COVID-19 crisis, everyone is having to make do without the usual luxuries. That means few of us have access to professional hair care anymore because stylists and barbers are not considered essential services. So, unless you have a stylist in your immediate family who is in quarantine with you, you’ll soon be faced with the choice of embracing a longer hair style or cutting your own hair. Perhaps someone in your family with a steady hand will be designated the family barber until the crisis is over. 

We’re not going to advise you on how to cut your own hair, but as North America’s largest provider of plumbing and drain services, we can speak with authority when we warn you not to cut your hair over a sink unless you close the drain and collect all the hair when you’re finished. Under no circumstances should you rinse hair down a sink drain! 

Hair is one of the most effective clog builders in plumbing drains. In fact, you’re almost guaranteed to cause a clog in your sink drain or somewhere downstream in your home’s drainage system or residential sewer if you push any quantity of hair down a drain. Mix in some soap scum, grease from a kitchen sink drain or some toothpaste, and you’ll have a clog that home remedies and plungers can’t fix. 

We know that a bathroom sink seems like the perfect place to cut hair because there’s almost always a big mirror right there to conveniently guide you through your self-shearing adventure. If you can’t resist trimming over the sink, we recommend taking the following precautions: 

• Line the sink with a towel so you can easily gather up the hair and shake it into a wastebasket 
• Vacuum up the clippings with a wet-dry vacuum (don’t use a regular vacuum unless the sink is completely dry) 

If you’re reading this after you’ve already clogged your sink, please refer to our “How to unclog a sink” video. If you’re unable to get the drain flowing on your own, Roto-Rooter is still providing all its services during the COVID-19 crisis and we’re following all CDC guidelines to keep you and our employees safe. To schedule a service call, Call us at 877-784-6074.