Soap residue, clumps of hair and other debris can clog your bathtub drain over time. But instead of deciding to spend your money on a plumber right away, know that you can first try to clear the clog DIY style. This is more feasible when the drain has not completely stopped and is just draining slowly, where you may not need to use any drastic measures or specific tools. Here’s is how to unclog a tub drain without using a plumber’s snake:
1. Remove The Strainer.
Debris would often accumulate underneath the strainer, which is located in the mouth of the drain. Though many strainers are installed without screws, some do have screws, so you might need a screwdriver to remove yours. Check the screw head to know which screwdriver to use. Loosen the screws to remove the strainer, and make sure you place the screws in a safe place while unclogging the drain.
2. Take Out The Stopper.
It is also possible that your drain has a tub stopper instead of a strainer, and it is also located over the drain. Unlike the strainer, a stopper can easily be removed by just twisting and lifting it.
3. Remove Excessive Gunk Around The Stopper Or The Strainer.
A huge amount of gunk can accumulate on the stopper or strainer over time, and you can clean it by scrubbing depending on the how dirty it is.
4. Insert a Drain Stick Down The Drain.
Using a simple drain stick which is flexible, inserted it deep enough to hit a drain trap, and keep pushing until the area is free of debris.
5. Pour Into The Drain Some Hot Water.
After pulling out the drain stick, pour in some hot water, which is really effective in clearing the pipes down the drain. Boil water in a tea kettle or a large pot, which is filled to the top, as there is no exact measurement of how much water you will need in this step. Pour the boiling water directly into the drain, which might instantly unclog the drain. Now, turn on the tub to see if it is now draining normally.
6. Pour Some Baking Soda And Vinegar.
Pour about a quarter of a cup of baking soda and a cup of white vinegar into the drain. Take this step if the previous step did not unclog it. Allow the baking soda and vinegar to sit for at least 15 minutes. Then, boil more water and, once again, pour it down into the drain. The hot water will react with the baking soda and vinegar to do the unclogging. Take note that using these household solutions does not use any chemicals and will generally work for small clogs.
7. Test The Tub To See If It Is Successfully Unclogged.
Check if water is now going down the drain properly. If so, you can place the strainer or stopper back over the drain.
There you have it! By following these simple steps, you can unclog your bathtub drain without the use of a plumber’s snake.