Tricks for a Clogged Bathtub

Bathtub drains are often clogged with hair and then other matter, like soap, piles up to make it bigger.

Bathtubs not only drain water from your bath or shower, but also hair, soap, dirt and oils from your body. These sometimes cling to the sides of the drain and over time the material accumulates until you have a clog. These can be cleared without a call to the plumber.

Plunging

A lever drain tends to catch bits of hair and debris, which results in slow draining.

Plungers can be used on basic tub drains that don't have lever closures. Fill the tub with enough water to cover the top of your plunger and place a wet cloth over the overflow. Set your plunger over the drain and pump it several times. Add a ring of petroleum jelly around the rim of the plunger to get a better seal if it slips off the drain hole while plunging. If the water is still draining slowly, run hot water down the drain for a moment and then plunge again. On some tubs, there is a lever on the overflow drain attached to a cover over the bathtub drain. The lever lifts the cover when you're ready to release the water. Lift the cover and clean out the parts you can see, and then remove the overflow cover. This reveals a rod and coil attached to the overflow cover that collects hair, soap and other debris. Clean the rod and coil and then run some hot water through the drain to clear any remaining material. If the drain is still slow, lift the cover and plunge the drain.

Vinegar and Baking Soda

If a bathtub clog won't budge even after you've plunged, don't reach for the chemicals just yet. Vinegar and baking soda react to create a natural drain cleaner. It takes longer than chemical drain openers but can save money and the environment. Begin by putting about 3/4 cup baking soda down the drain. Follow with 1/2 cup of vinegar. Cover the opening immediately with a cloth or a plug. The reaction between the baking soda creates a foam that works to break down hair and other matter clogging the drain. Leave the mixture for about 30 minutes and then rinse the drain with hot water. This should break up all or most of your clog. If the drain is still a bit slow the remaining debris can be plunged away.

Slow Drains

Often a clog is minor, causing the water to drain slowly rather than completely blocking the drain. In this case, run hot water through the drain to remove any hair, soap and debris that is beginning to clog the drain. If the water is still slow, a quick plunging will release any stuck on bits of material. Done weekly, rinsing your drain can remove the debris before it builds into a serious clog.

Prevention

Clogs can be prevented by installing a device that traps hair and other material before it gets down your drain, but still allows water to pass through. A drain protector, also called a hair trap, sits in your drain over the hole so that you can still place your plug over it. The hair and debris from each bath is collected in the trap to be cleaned out when you're done.

References

• University of Florida IFAS Extension; Making Simple Repairs: Clogged Drains; Mary N. Harrison; May 2002
• Nautilus Plumbing: Tips for Preventing Blocked Drains
• RJ Tilley Plumbing and Heating: Clogged Bathtubs