How To Unclog Your Bathtub
- By: Amer ZaghloulehClogs, DrainsComment: 0
A clogged bathroom drain can be extremely annoying. Not only that the bathtub gets dirty with residue, but it’s also unhygienic and it takes a long time before you can clear the water out of the tub each time you use it.
Luckily, there are plenty of DIY solutions you can try before calling a local contractor, and they do the job in most cases. Let’s see what can efficiently unclog your bathtub drain.
Boiling Water
Boiled water poured slowly directly in the drain can unclog it by dissolving the residues that are blocking it. Since most of the time drains are clogged by soap gunk and organic residue, they should be easily dislodged with the help of very hot water. Just boil a big pot of water and pour it down the drain. If it doesn’t work, move on to the next method.
Baking Soda + Vinegar
This duo of natural ingredients is something anyone should have at home for cleaning purposes. Baking soda and vinegar react together to create a fizz that you can use to dislodge dirt and gunk. First, carefully pour a cup of baking soda down the drain. A small funnel might help get it inside easily. Then pour two cups of white vinegar in the drain and let them react together for 10 minutes before finishing the job with a pot of boiled water.
Plunger
Sometimes, you need to move the debris a bit to unclog the bathtub drain. Use a cup-shaped plunger to create a vacuum seal and move it up and down with short, vigorous moves. Before you use the plunger, the bathtub must be filled with water up to a few inches.
Plumber’s Snake
If you don’t have one of these in your house already, you can find it at any hardware or bricolage store. Push the snake in slowly, until you reach the clog, then do short moves up and down to dislodge it without damaging the drain. Most of the time, this should eliminate a stubborn clog.
Remove the Clog by Hand
When it comes to clogged drains in the bathroom, hair is the culprit in most cases. If you’re dealing with long hair, the methods above might not work. But you might be lucky enough to have the hair high enough in the drain to be able to reach it by hand. Unscrew the drain cover and try using your fingers (use gloves!) to remove the debris. You can also use tools like an old crochet hook or a barbecue skewer to remove the hair and other debris.
When It’s Time to Call the Professionals
If none of the methods above work, you might have a bigger problem on your hands. Just call a professional plumber and have them solve the problem. You can reach out to Anytime Plumbing and we’ll make sure your bathroom drain will work perfectly again.
Frequently Asked Questions
To prevent clogs, regularly remove hair and soap buildup from the drain, use a drain strainer to catch debris, and avoid pouring grease or thick substances down the drain. Periodically flushing the drain with hot water can also help keep it clear and reduce the chance of buildup over time.
Chemical drain cleaners can damage pipes and irritate skin or eyes. Mechanical methods like plunging or using a drain snake are safer and often more effective. Use chemicals only as a last resort and follow all safety instructions carefully.
Many people wonder if installing a hair trap in their bathtub drain actually helps prevent clogs. Hair traps work by catching loose hairs before they enter the drain, which is where most bathtub blockages start. While they do not eliminate the need for occasional cleaning, they can significantly reduce how often you experience slow drainage. To get the best results, choose a hair trap that fits snugly over your drain and clean it regularly to prevent buildup. Combining a hair trap with periodic rinsing of the drain with warm water can keep your bathtub flowing smoothly for longer.
Hair, soap residue, and small debris often collect deeper in the drain pipe where surface cleaning cannot reach. Over time this buildup thickens and slows drainage, causing clogs to return until the pipe is cleared thoroughly.
