Clogged bathtub drains can be one of the most frustrating plumbing issues to experience in your home. Fortunately, there are some straightforward steps you can take to unclog your tub drain and restore its flow.
Begin by taking out the drain strainer and stopper. These typically sit over the tub drain hole, designed to trap hair, debris, and other objects that could clog its path.
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1. Plunger
Clogged bathtub drains can be a frustrating experience. A tub full of dirty water and soapy residue may take longer to empty than expected.
Fortunately, most clogs can be resolved with ease using a plunger – an indispensable plumbing item that many homeowners already own.
It’s an effective tool that can help clear out a blocked bathtub drain. It works by creating suction force which pulls out the blockage.
You can also use a plunger to remove hair from the drain. To do so, you’ll need a plunger with either a small claw or a loop at one end.
Begin by filling your tub with several inches of hot water. Next, place the head of your plunger under the water and over the drain, creating a seal that makes pumping out the plunger easier. You can do this quickly and repeatedly for up to 10-15 pumps (or around 30 seconds).
2. Drain Snake
Unclogging your bathtub is easy with a drain snake, which is available at most home improvement stores. Not only are these tools user-friendly and inexpensive to purchase, but their effectiveness will save you time and money in the long run as well.
They operate similarly to a power drill, featuring an attached coiled cable that feeds out of an auger. This cable pushes down through your drain until it comes across something blocking it.
Once it does, it will wiggle around the obstruction and eventually break through it. You may need to repeat this process several times.
When using a snake to clear out clogs, its end may have a corkscrew hook for grasping and extracting them. To ensure its effectiveness and prevent entanglement with new clogs, be sure to clean this end thoroughly after each use.
Before you begin, don a pair of rubber gloves and have a bucket nearby. Insert the snake into your clogged drain slowly, feeding it food as necessary.
How to unclog bathtub drains
3. Wire Hanger
If you have an old wire hanger lying around, Modern Era Plumbing & Gas Solutions recommends using it as a tool to unclog a bathtub drain. Simply bend it into a hook and fish out any gunk inside, as described by Modern Era Plumbing & Gas Solutions.
Modern Era suggests starting by folding the end of a wire coat hanger over itself by one-quarter inch, creating an “umbrella”.
Straighten the hanger using needle-nose pliers. This will make it less stiff than if you used your bare hands, making it easier to work with.
Next, bend the other end of the hanger into a small loop or handle, keeping its tiny hook intact. Insert this looped end into the drain hole, rotating as you push down on it to remove any hair or gunk. Continue this process until all clogs have been eliminated; if necessary, use a plunger to pull them out.
4. Bleach
Clogged bathtubs can be a frustrating issue to deal with and often require professional assistance to resolve. Clogs usually occur when hair, soap residue, dirt, and other substances get mixed into the drain.
Thankfully, there is an easy and safe solution to this problem: bleach. Bleach can effectively and safely unclog a bathtub drain.
To effectively clean a drain, the key is to use a diluted bleach solution and scrub all surfaces with it. Doing this will help dissolve any soap scum, mold, or mildew that may be present.
When using this technique, make sure to wear gloves and goggles. Doing so will prevent any chemicals from reaching your skin or eyes.
Once you’ve finished cleaning the bathtub, rinse it with hot water to eliminate any bleach residue. Doing this will guarantee the tub is thoroughly disinfected and help prevent future clogs.
