How to Clear Clogged Bathtub Drain

One of the common plumbing problems in the bathroom is a clogged bathtub drain. This can be an inconvenience especially if this happens at a time when your plumber is not able to go your home. If you are faced with a bathtub clogging problem, whether there is standing water or it just drains slowly, there are solutions you can try.

1. Plumber’s Snake

This is a special tool that is effective in pushing the gunk and object that can be causing the clog in the bathtub drain. Longer and more flexible than a coat hanger, a snake is inserted into the drain pipe, at least 36 inches into the drain. Before doing so, however, you need to turn off the shut valve of water supply and remove the overflow plate. Once the snake is inside the pipe, some resistance might be felt. Push and pull the snake to break the gunk or the clog. Either the clog will be pushed down the pipe or if it is a solid object, it can attach to the wire and you can remove it once the snake is retrieved.

2. Plunger

One of the most common tools or equipment to solve plumbing problems like clogging is the ever-reliable plunger. Available in the local hardware, a plunger can remove the object that clogs the drain. This is commonly used when there is standing water in the tub. The first thing to do is to cover the overflow outlet with a piece of cloth. Place the plunger on top of the drain while pushing and pulling it for several times. Remove the plunger so water can flow into the drain pipe. It will also help to pour some hot water into the drain pipe to loosen whatever grease or gunk is sticking on the pipe. If the standing water does not disappear completely, repeat the process until all the water is gone. Remember that if the drain stopper is connected to the overflow plate, remove the drain stopper first in order to use the plunger with ease.

3. Soda and Vinegar

A DIY troubleshooting in the home can be done with the help of household items you can easily find around the home, especially in the kitchen. Baking soda and vinegar are just two of the important items you use to solve a bathtub drain clog. If there is standing water, it is essential to remove the pool of water using a pail and some old rags. Next, get at least 1/3 cup of vinegar and an equal amount of baking soda and mix them. When you hear it fizz, this is the time when you need to slowly pour the liquid into drain and let it stay there for an hour or longer.

Boil some hot water and pour it into the drain slowly into three parts. The chemical reaction produced with the combination of the baking soda and vinegar is powerful enough to loosen the grime, hair and gunk inside the drain. Hot water will loosen whatever clogging material is left and pouring it will send the dirt down the drain.

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