How to Unclog the Drain in a Bathtub Full of Sewage

Rinse away clogged sewage in a bathtub drain with boiling hot water.

Blockages in a bathroom drain caused by grease, dirt, hair or soap can cause the bathroom tub to drain out water slowly, or not at all. Many people opt for drain diffusers and solutions that can easily unclog a drain, but too many harsh chemicals are toxic and can eventually strip bathtub pipes of their protective material. Fortunately, there are ways to unclog a bathtub drain to get the job done more safely and efficiently.

Things You'll Need

• Plunger
• Drain diffuser
• Plug wrench or slip-joint pliers
• Screwdriver
• Hanger or needle-nose pliers
• Bathroom sealant

Instructions

1. Boil hot water and pour it down the drain, or let hot water run down the drain for at least five minutes. The steam and hot water particles can break up debris caught in the drain pipes quicker than cold or lukewarm water. Pour a drain diffuser down the drain so its chemicals can help break up or disintegrate debris easily.

2. Plunge up blockages in the bathtub drain with a plunger.

3. Manually remove clogged material inside the drain. Remove the drain's screen with a pop up plug wrench or a tub drain remover to detach the drain's screen for the sealant. If you don't have a plug wrench or tub drain remover, use slip-joint pliers. According to This Old House, "slide the handles down the drain, past the X-shaped metal arms or cross-hairs inside, then put a screwdriver between the handles and use it like a lever to unscrew the drain."

4. Use a hanger or needle-nose pliers to remove the sewage that is clogging the bathtub drain. Replace the drain screen by sealing it back up with putty or a bathroom sealant.

References

• Hy-Tech Thermal Solutions: How to Unclog a Drain
• This Old House: Removing a Tub Drain
• Home Improvement: How to Unclog a Bathtub Drain