how to unclog a bathtub drain

This will help loosen up the clogged drain. ", "It helped me determine how to clean clog with baking powder and vinegar. First, you’ll need to remove the drain screen or stopper to get access to the drain. Drain any water residual in your bathtub (manually if your bathtub is completely clogged) 2. [1] X Research source The size and sha… ", lots of boiling water did. I was able to unclog my tub in just a few minutes! Add 1 cup to 2 cups of baking soda into your drain. Thank you. Debris would often accumulate underneath the strainer, which is located in the mouth of the drain. ", "The instructions were easy to follow, and I didn't have to spend a fortune calling a plumber. wikiHow is an amazing website. The overflow hole needs to be plugged or covered up with a towel to keep the air pressure tight. ", "Very clear and concise, thank you for that! If you do not know which type of screwdriver to use, match the screwdriver to the screw head. How to unclog a bathroom sink and bathtub drain: Remove the hair: Most bathroom clogs are caused by a buildup of hair and personal-cleaning products. When purchasing a chemical product for your plumbing, it’s good to know what type of plumbing you have. Now, place a toilet plunger over the bathtub drain. A slow draining tub is often caused by hair and other gunk that clogs the assembly that opens and closes the drain, or clogs the P-trap beneath it. ", the screw holding the drain cap had rusted and some of the rust particles had accumulated in a the drain. Once you put the chemicals in the drain it’s important to leave it for the amount of time suggested. If you should use a liquid drain cleaner, wait a few hours before you decide to take a bath. Most bathtub drains have either a strainer or a stopper. by Andrew | Cleaning, How To's, Repairs and Maintenance. Pour the mixture down the drain (use a larger ratio like 1 cup baking soda to 1/2 cup of salt for a stronger clean) and let the powder sit in the drain for a … Most clogged bathtub drains can be cleared with a plunger or by removing and cleaning out the tub stopper.If after trying both of these your bathtub is still clogged, the next step is to use a snake to clear the drain. Before you go using harsh chemicals on your drain you can use this home remedy to unclog your bathtub or shower drain this method is easy. In order to plunge a shower drain correctly, cover up these overflow holes. Note that these techniques are the same for any kind of bathtub, including walk-in bathtubs, corner bathtubs, freestanding bathtubs and any others. Plug the overflow hole. While you're waiting, bring another 8 cups of water to a boil. Keep plunging until the water drains when you remove the plunger. We may receive a referral fee if you sign up through the referral links on this site. That way you know you are taking the right steps the right time. Use the link below to find a reputable plumber in your area to come and assess what has happened. 6. When you don't use it properly, it can actually make your clogged drain worse. Clogged drains are always a hassle, but some, like a plugged P-trap under the sink or a stopped-up toilet, requires only a wrench, a plunger and a little elbow grease to unclog. These are pretty easy things you can do to fix a slow bathtub drain and most people have luck with one or all of these. How to Unclog a Tub Drain. This post may contain affiliate links which go towards keeping this site running. All depends on how much as well as with what is a drain clogged! Then pour 1 cup of liquid detergent and wait a few minutes. Then, place the screws in a safe location while you unclog the drain. Pour 4-6 cups of boiling water down the drain. After bringing that water to a boil on the stove, pour it into the drain and repeat the process until the clog is gone! ", "I like how it gave multiple solutions to the problem. Pour about a quarter of a cup of baking soda and a cup of white vinegar into the drain. The center strainer is held in by spring clips, so you have to put a hook through the mesh and pull to pop it out. Instead, you'll have to remove the clog with a snake, plunger or other items. ", "Used plunger first, then boiling water, baking soda, then used vinegar. To access it, unscrew the overflow plate in your tub, and pull it out along with the linkage and stopper that are attached. The clog will usually occur in the trap where water accumulates. ", drain cover and pull out the gunk! A clogged bathtub drain can be cleared in several ways. I get it! To create this article, 42 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. Pouring bleach down your pipes is also bad for the piping and wears them down making them weaker and reducing their long life spans. Thanks!! Cover the over flow drain with a duct tape. The strainer may be two pieces. Note that these techniques are the same for any kind of bathtub, including walk-in bathtubs, … Loosen the … ", "Drano didn't completely take out the plug, but hot water and my plunger finished the job. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. Spend some time plunging the drain but beware that if something does get dislodged it may come up and into the bathtub. You will be surprised how often this works. But there are still a few things that you need to know before using this method. If there has been no significant Improvement in the water draining there could be a bigger issue and it’s time to move to the last step. If you have a drain to unblock, you can work through them in order – and if you still haven’t managed to unclog your drain, it probably means it’s time to call in a professional. How to Unclog a Bathtub Drain without Removing the Stopper . ", "This article called to my attention that a drain is a drain and all you need is a plunger. If this method doesn't work, keep reading to learn how to use a toilet plunger or a chemical drain cleaner to solve your problem! If you want to be eco-friendly, try using Simple Green. ", "I already had vinegar and baking soda on hand and two plungers, the rest is history. There may be clumps of hair and other gunk like soap scum blocking the pipe and. On a shower drain, remove the strainer in the shower floor and insert the cable into the drain. Thank you. Use rubber gloves when working with the drain. Tools Required. Click Here to Find a Professional Plumber in Your Area. On a sink drain, you may be able to remove the stopper and insert the cable or rod directly into the drain. It did not clear it, but following it with a huge blast of bleach and, "Tip 3 presented a natural solution, as opposed to the use of chemicals, as a remedy for my clogged drain. Fortunately, you may not need to call a plumber to fix your problem. Before replacing the stopper, run some water to see if that fixes the clog. Most of the following homemade cleaners are effective against both types of drain clogs. Remove the overflow plate if you haven’t already, and stuff a rag into the opening to prevent air from escaping as you plunge the drain. Unscrew the overflow plate from the end of the tub. Always use a strainer or drain cover. But so far so good. Do you have a slow draining bathtub? Most of the time, bathtub clogs are caused by a build up of hair and other debris in the drain. ", "Borax, baking soda and vinegar. Be mindful that you are holding scalding hot water and that any splash back could burn you. Most people will skip to the next one, but this is surprisingly effective and removing bathtub clogs. First thing you need to do is to boil some water in a tea kettle. 2. How to Unclog a Bathtub Drain Naturally Method 1 Take this step if the previous step did not unclog it. Just unscrewed the plughole and stuck a bendy hook down. Clog gone. Thank you for the tips! Fill the bathtub with water up to a few inches. Most clogged bathtub drains can be cleared with a plunger or by removing and cleaning out the tub stopper. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. You can unclog the drain using some products available at home or store while applying some effort and trickery. Pour 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain, and then pour 1 cup of distilled white vinegar down the drain. ", water, baking soda, and vinegar. Here are the steps to unclog a drain using a drain claw. The first step can help loosen and break down the fats from soap scum. Vinegar is a (very) weak acid. Unclogging a Bathtub Drain. How do I unclog a tub drain that has cat litter in it? The water will get dirty from the buildup of soap and hair. How to unclog a bathtub drain using baking soda and vinegar (without harsh chemicals) Remove the stopper and see if there is any visible blockage. When the wait time is finished you will want to run cold water down the drain (unless the product specifies otherwise in the instructions) and take note of how fast the water is draining out of the tub. FOG is the most common cause of slow drains and backup in home kitchens, learn more about FOG clogs. References Pour Some Baking Soda And Vinegar. Thank you so much. Way 2: Clean a clogged bathtub drain with hair. FOG is the most common cause of slow drains and backup in home kitchens, learn more about FOG clogs. If you do not know which type of screwdriver to use, match the screwdriver to the screw head. Bleach can be used to pour down your drains when you notice slow draining. A whole bottle of bleach is much cheaper than Liquid Plumber. % of people told us that this article helped them. Your site saved me $ and time! We are all rushed these days. Before replacing the stopper, run some water to see if that fixes the clog. Flush the drain well with clear water. This will be my first step in unclogging the bathtub drain for the rest, "I was forced several times to plunge the drain. You have really simplified my work, thanks. Bathtubs are prone to clogs. By Merle Henkenius. The bubbles indicate that the problem is likely due to a plumbing problem further downstream in the pipes, likely between the house and sewage (rather than within the house). You may need a funnel to get this past the drain cover. "Great information and very thorough! This is okay, just keep plunging and checking to see if the water is draining. The removal of these plates depends on the various methods depending on the kind, though the most common ones are attached with screw. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/42\/Unclog-a-Bathtub-Drain-Step-1-Version-8.jpg\/v4-460px-Unclog-a-Bathtub-Drain-Step-1-Version-8.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/42\/Unclog-a-Bathtub-Drain-Step-1-Version-8.jpg\/aid136086-v4-728px-Unclog-a-Bathtub-Drain-Step-1-Version-8.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"