A clogged bathtub is super inconvenient, especially when you want to take a bath or shower. Fortunately, you may not require the services of a plumber to resolve your issue. There are several methods you can use at home or in the store to unclog your bathtub on your own.
Continue reading for a list of 5 tips to help you unclog your bathtub and restore water flow.
How to unclog the bathtub with Baking Soda and Boiling Water?
- Clear the strainer or stopper. Hair and soap residue may have accumulated beneath the strainer or stopper that is located in or over the drain. Remove any screws holding the strainer in place, and twist and lift the stopper out. Scrub away any gunk or hair that has accumulated.
- Boil water in a pot. Because there is no precise measurement for how much water to use, fill the pot all the way to the top. Allow the water to begin to boil.
- Pour the boiling water straight down the drain. This may immediately clear the drain. Keep in mind that splashing hot water can burn you. Turn on the bathtub and check to see if it is draining normally now.
- Pour 1/4 cup of baking soda and 1 cup white vinegar into the drain. If pouring hot water down the drain did not clear it, use baking soda and vinegar to remove any remaining gunk.
- Wait 10-15 minutes. Allow the baking soda and vinegar to sit for 15-20 minutes before using. You can keep track of time by using a clock.
- Pour hot water directly down the drain again. The water will react with the baking soda and vinegar to unclog the drain. Test the bathtub to see if this method unclogged your drain, and if it did not, try another method. Baking soda and vinegar use no chemicals and are generally effective for small clogs, so this may not work every time.
How to unclog a bathtub drain with a Toilet Plunger?
- Scrub the strainer or stopper to get rid of any gunk. Using the appropriate screwdriver, remove any screws that are holding the strainer in place. To remove it, twist and lift the stopper. Remove any hair and soap scum from the strainer and stopper.
- Fill a few inches of water into the bathtub. Fill the tub with just enough water to submerge the plunger; water is what gives the plunger suction.
- Suction out any obstructions in the drain with the plunger. Push the plunger down with quick, forceful strokes, then pull up, five to six times. While you're plunging the drain, dirty water and gunk will most likely pour out.
- Check the drain to see if there is any dirty water or gunk coming out.
- If nothing is coming out of the drain, consider applying more force.
- When you remove the plunger, continue plunging until the water drains.
- If there are no obstructions coming out of the drain, you may need to try another method.
How to unclog your bathtub with a Drain Claw?
- Remove the strainer or stopper. Hair and soap frequently accumulate beneath the strainer, which is usually located in or above the drain. Although many strainers can be removed by hand, some have screws that must be removed as well. Using the appropriate screwdriver, remove the screws.; Stopper is easier to remove because they are not held down with any screws. Simply remove the stopper by twisting and lifting it.
- Remove excessive gunk around the strainer and stopper. Over time, a lot of gunk could have accumulated on the strainer or stopper. Remove any hair or soap scum; depending on how dirty the strainer and stopper are, scrub them.
- Insert the drain stick down the drain. When the drain stick is inserted far enough into the drain, it will come into contact with a drain trap, which is a curved section of the drain. Continue to feed the drain stick through this trap. The stick is bendable and flexible.
- Pull out the drain stick. Because the claw is made up of many small interlocking hooks, it can grab hair and pull gunk out. If you want to reuse the drain stick, clean the gunk off it. Hair and soap can accumulate in as little as a few months, so having a drain stick on hand is frequently useful.
- Check the bathtub to see if it is unclogged. Water should now go down the drain properly. If this method did not work, try another method.
- Reset the strainer or stopper the same way that you removed it. You can now replace your strainer or stopper if the drain claw worked. Strainers must be screwed back onto the top of the drain, whereas the stopper can be simply replaced.
How do you unclog a bathtub with Chemical Drain Cleaners?
- Buy a chemical drain cleaner from the store or online shop. Chemical drain cleaners work by using chemicals such as potassium hydroxide or sulfuric acid to unclog drains. They will clear most drain clogs if used correctly.
- Purchase a product designed specifically for bathtubs. Check that the product is intended for your system; the cleaner's back will specify which types of pipes it is suitable for.
- If you're not sure where the cleaners are or which one to buy, ask an employee for assistance.
- Follow the instructions. These are the manufacturer's instructions, and they will vary slightly between drain cleaners. Some may require you to wear protective goggles, pour only a certain amount of liquid, and so on. It is critical to read the instructions on the back of the chemical drain cleaner before using it.
- Ensure that there is no standing water in the bathtub. You may need to use a bucket or cleaning cloth to remove any water remaining in your bathtub.
- Pour the required amount of cleaner into the bathtub drain. For example, pouring half a bottle (32 oz) of Drano down a clogged drain. Crystal Lye Drain Opener, on the other hand, requires only one tablespoon. As you open the bottle and pour the chemicals into the drain, take care not to splash the chemical cleaner.
- Clean up any spills immediately.
- Wear gloves at all times when handling any chemicals.
- Wait 15-20 minutes for results. Many cleaners recommend letting the chemicals sit in the drain for 15-20 minutes. Set a timer to accurately keep track of time.
- Flush the drain with cold water. After 15-30 minutes, the drain should be operational. Turn on the cold-water faucet in the bathtub, and the water should immediately drain.
- Contact a professional plumber if the drain has not been cleared. Because combining different chemicals can be hazardous, do not use a different chemical cleaner if the first one did not clear the bathtub drain. Consult a professional plumber for assistance if something goes wrong.
Cleaning Strainers and Stoppers
- Remove the strainer. The accumulation of gunk on strainers and stoppers frequently causes slow drainage. Using the appropriate screwdriver, remove any screws surrounding the strainer. Place the screws somewhere safe while you clean the strainer. Stoppers are easier to remove because they are not secured with screws; simply twist and lift the stopper to remove it.
- Remove any excess gunk from around the strainer and stopper. There could be a lot of gunk on the strainer or stopper. Remove any soap or hair scum; you may need to scrub the strainer and stopper.
- Reset the cover or stopper the same way you removed it. Strainers must be screwed back onto the top of the drain, whereas the stopper can simply be replaced.
- See if it worked. Test the drain by turning on your bathtub. If not, you will have to try a different approach.
Try these 5 methods and when in doubt, always consult with a professional plumbing service for help. Follow Empava, we will keep you updated more information about bathtub.