Charleston Woman Cracks Her Sink After Pouring Boiling Water to Unclog Drain — Experts Warn Why You Shouldn’t Try It
CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA – What started as a quick home remedy turned into an unexpected disaster for one Charleston woman, who says she accidentally cracked her bathroom sink after trying to unclog it with boiling water.
The incident, shared by TikTok user @lavenderblissbaby, has since gone viral — amassing more than 62,000 views and sparking debate over the safety of the popular “boiling water drain hack.”
“Whoever is gonna try to pour boiling water down their drain to unclog it … don’t,” she warns tearfully in her video. “I just broke my sink.”
From Quick Fix to Costly Mistake
The woman explained that she had been having a tough day — recovering from surgery, dealing with painful cramps, and attempting to clean — when she decided to pour boiling water into her bathroom sink to clear a clog. Moments later, the ceramic basin cracked.
“I thought it was the pipes,” she said. “It’s all over my things. I’ve done it before, and it’s always been fine.”
In a follow-up caption, she clarified that it was her bathroom sink, not her kitchen sink, that broke. “This was my bathroom sink — so ceramic, not my kitchen sink,” she wrote.
Viewers Weigh In on What Went Wrong
TikTok users quickly chimed in with explanations — and sympathy.
“Only do this on metal sinks. Porcelain will crack,” one viewer wrote.
“Ceramic problems, babe. Sorry,” another commented.
“That tip is for the kitchen sinks…the metal ones,” added a third.
Some commenters shared their own similar mishaps.
“I literally did this yesterday,” one said. Another maintenance worker admitted, “If it makes you feel any better, I’ve done this before too.”
@lavenderblissbaby Having a rough day EDIT:: this was my bathroom sink so ceramic not my kitchen sink
Experts Say Boiling Water Can Damage Sinks and Pipes
According to Meticulous Plumbing Home Service LLC, boiling water can be effective on minor grease clogs in metal sinks, but it can also damage plumbing systems — particularly those made from ceramic, porcelain, or PVC.
“Boiling water can crack ceramic basins or melt plastic pipes,” the company notes. “It can even push debris deeper into the drain, making clogs worse.”
Instead, plumbers recommend safer DIY methods such as:
- Using a plunger or drain snake to dislodge clogs
- Cleaning the P-trap (the curved pipe under the sink)
- Applying mild enzymatic or chemical cleaners when necessary
If you’re unsure what material your pipes are made of, experts advise avoiding boiling water altogether and calling a licensed plumber instead.
Viral Video Serves as a Cautionary Tale
Though @lavenderblissbaby’s video began as a moment of frustration, it’s now become a public service announcement for thousands of viewers.
“I was already having a bad day,” she wrote in a follow-up comment. “This just made it worse. But maybe it’ll save someone else’s sink.”
Her message — though painful — has resonated widely with DIYers and renters alike, serving as a reminder that sometimes, a quick fix isn’t worth the risk.
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