Heavily Clogged Bathtub

If water rises up over your toes every time you take a shower, you have a heavily clogged bathtub drain. The splashing is a sign you’ve ignored the problem for too long, and the time has come to take measures to get rid of the blockage.

Clogged Bathtub

A heavily clogged bathtub is nearly useless. Because it drains so slowly, you end up standing in water as the tub fills whenever you shower. Not only is splashing around in dirty water unpleasant, but a clogged drain also prevents you from taking a nice long shower. Heavily clogged tub drains are usually blocked by wads of hair that have tangled inside the pipe. Soap fragments and other debris get caught in the hair, helping to form a nearly impenetrable mass in your drain.

Drain Openers

Use a gentle drain opener on the clog first. Pour 1/2 cup of baking soda into the drain, and wait about 15 minutes before slowly pouring in 1 cup of hydrogen peroxide. The mixture will foam up and eat away at the organic bits of the clog, although it won’t destroy the hair. Give the mixture an hour to work before pouring boiling water into the drain. If the water doesn’t shift the clog, you can try to physically remove it, or you can purchase commercial drain openers at any grocery store. They contain chemicals strong enough to dissolve hair.

Removal

If you opt to physically remove the clog, start by straightening out a wire hanger. Using the straightened portion, reach into the drain and scrape up the wad of material blocking off the pipe. A few tries may be required to pull up all of it. Place the gunk in a plastic bag, and dispose of it outdoors. Not only will it smell bad, but it could contain mold spores. If the bad odor lingers in your drain, pour in 1 cup of white vinegar to deodorize it.

Considerations

Your tub will just get clogged again if you don’t change your habits. Don’t wash loose hairs down the drain. Combing your hair before showering will allow you to pull any free hair out and toss it in the trash. Place a mesh grate either over the tub drain or inside of it, depending on what kind of stopper your bathtub has. Hair and other debris will be caught in the mesh when you shower. Wipe the grate clean after every shower.

References

• “Home Improvement All-in-One For Dummies”; Roy Barnhart, James Carey, Morris Carey, Gene Hamilton, Katie Hamilton, Donald R. Prestly, Jeff Strong; 2011