How to Unclog a Bathtub Drain

Upon waking up this morning, I discovered that the bathtub was filled with murky, slimy water, rendering it unusable. As I attempted to locate the stopper, I realized that the drain was clogged. While this is a common issue in any household, it can be resolved without the need for a professional plumber. With the right techniques and determination, you can easily tackle this problem on your own. I’ll explain everything you need to know to do how to unclog a bathtub drain. From understanding why clogs happen in the first place to trying easy homemade drain cleaners to knowing when it’s time to call in the professionals, I’ve got you covered. Armed with the info, you’ll get that water flowing freely down the drain again. Ready to do this? Let’s get started!

Why Do Bathtub Drain Clog in the First Place?

Before jumping into the different unclogging methods, it helps to understand the common causes of tub drain clogs so you can try to prevent them from happening repeatedly.

Why Do Bathtub Drains Clog in the First Place?

Hair and Soap Gunk

This is the usual suspect when it comes to clogged shower drains. Think about all that loose hair floating around when you shampoo and the bits of soap scum that flow down the drain with the water each time you bathe. Over time, it builds into a thick, sludgy mass that blocks water from passing through easily. No one wants that nasty wet tangle of hair catching at their toes when they bathe!

Sluggish Pipes

Even with hair strainers and catchers, gunk still sneaks into the pipes. If the slope of the pipes isn’t steep enough, water flows too slowly, allowing hair and soap residue to collect and stick to the pipe walls. Tree roots creeping in or small objects like hair ties and loose change falling through the drain can also impede the flow over time.

Improper Drain Installation

Another issue is the incorrect installation of the bathtub drain apparatus itself. If the components aren’t aligned perfectly, gaps occur where hair and debris can snag, causing nasty clogs.

So that’s the usual lineup of drain-clogging suspects in summary – hair/soap gunk, slow-flowing drainage pipes, and faulty installation. Knowing why your drain gets clogged in the first place will help you not just unclog it now but prevent future problems too.

Trying Easy Homemade Bathtub Drain Cleaners First

Now that you know why your drain’s backed up, let’s go through some quick homemade drain cleaning solutions you can whip up with common household items. No running to the store is needed for these. I prefer attempting these before breaking out the heavy-duty chemical stuff.

Here are three easy homemade cleaners to try:

Boiling Water

This one couldn’t be simpler. Boil some water and carefully pour it down the drain. The heat helps dissolve hair and soap buildup. Feel free to get fancy and add a bit of liquid soap to the water too.

Safety note: Take care not to burn yourself when pouring boiling water!

Baking Soda and Vinegar

You likely have a box of baking soda and vinegar in your pantry right now. Mix about 1/2 cup baking soda with 1 cup warm vinegar and funnel the fizzing combo down the drain. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes before rinsing with more hot water. These two ingredients produce an impressive chemical reaction together that can break down all sorts of gunk.

Heads up: Cover the drain hole tightly when you pour in the mix. You don’t want a bubbly science experiment volcano happening!

Salt and Ice

For this one, pour about 1/2 cup salt down the drain, followed by a few big ice cubes (large cubes work best). As the ice melts, the salt helps scour the inside of the pipe. The melting effect also flushes away any debris.

So try one or all of these homemade cleaners before removing the toxic chemical cleaners from under your sink. Fingers crossed, one does the trick!

Using a Simple Drain Snake and Plunger Combo

If the homemade cleaners didn’t fix the clogged drain right up, it’s time to bring in the big guns – the drain snake and plunger combo. These two inexpensive tools are highly effective for dislodging tub clogs. And handy to have on hand even for maintenance drain cleaning sessions.

Step 1: Try the Plunger First

Start by tightly plugging the overflow hole (that smaller second hole in your tub beside the main drain) with a wet rag or towel. You want a good seal so you can create suction. Then, fill the tub about 1/3 full of water. Quickly plunge the drain 10-15 times, forcefully enough that the water is agitated. Pull the plunger all the way out so air rushes in each time. That rapid pressure helps dislodge gunk.

Hot tip: Add a bit of shampoo or dish soap to the water first – this allows you to create even better suction with the plunger.

Step 2: Snake Out the Remaining Clog

If plunging didn’t work fully, it’s time to grab a small drain snake, also called a “zip-it tool.” (You can find an affordable one at any hardware store or online.) Feed the hook end into the drain and twist back and forth, shimmying into the pipe as far as possible to hook and pull out hair and debris. Use an in-and-out thrusting motion to force the clog loose.

Troubleshooting tip: If you feel resistance as you’re snaking, that’s a sign you’ve hit the clog. Really work at that spot!

Be patient and keep plunging and snaking until the water starts flowing properly down the drain. It’s simple, but it usually does the trick!

Using a Powerful Chemical Drain Cleaner

If you’ve tried the homemade cleaners and the plunger/snake combo with no luck, it’s time to reach for a commercial chemical drain cleaner. I consider this a last resort because most contain harsh ingredients like lye or sulfuric acid that can irritate skin and pipes with improper use.

But when used correctly and safely, these cleaners effectively break down organic gunk. (Take proper safety precautions like wearing gloves and never mixing cleaners!)

Here is a step-by-step guide to using chemical drain cleaners:

Step 1: Know Your Cleaner Type

There are generally two types of chemical drain cleaners:

Oxidizing cleaners contain harsh chemicals like lye or bleach that react and dissolve clogs.

Acidic cleaners use sulfuric acid to eat through the gunk and freshen pipes.

Enzyme cleaners contain bacteria that digest blockages. Safer for pipes but slower.

Step 2: Follow Instructions Precisely

Carefully check the drain cleaner label before using it and follow the instructions. Pay attention to:

Wearing proper gloves/goggles
Proper mixture ratios
How long to let the cleaner sit

Precise use prevents pipe corrosion and accidents. Don’t take risks to save time!

Step 3: Flush Out the Pipes

After the instructed sitting time, flush out the drain thoroughly with hot water for a few minutes to wash away dissolved gunk and any cleaner residue. This prevents leftover chemicals from damaging pipes or pooling somewhere to cause future issues.

So in summary, yes chemical drain cleaners are very effective. But respect how corrosive they can be if misused. With proper gloves/gear and by following instructions carefully, though, they provide powerful clog-busting cleaning not achievable with other methods.

Calling in a Professional Plumber

Let’s say you’ve tried all the drain cleaning methods discussed, but water still collects rather than drains out. Or you pulled nice thick clumps of hair out, yet the clog persists. When should you accept things beyond your skill level and call for professional help?

Here are 3 signs it’s time to hire a plumber:

The Clog Keeps Returning

If you’ve successfully unclogged your tub drain before, yet the water pools again after a few weeks or months, there’s likely a deeper issue needing attention. Clogs repeatedly point to underlying problems like improper drainage slope, pipe cracks, tree root invasion, or collapsed drains.

While frustrating, it helps thinking of persistent clogs as your home saying “help me!” vs just attacking you with hassles personally. Look at it as a chance to improve your bathing experience long-term!

Multiple Drains in Your Home Are Backed Up

Noticing all your sinks, tubs, and showers stalling on drainage too? That likely indicates a main sewer line clog affecting your property’s plumbing network. With backyard plumbing excavation probably needed, that’s not a DIY endeavor.

Significant Drain Backup Has Happened

This is an emergency scenario – if you have several feet of water pooling from drains or (yuck) sewage backflow happening. Significant backups can cause structural water damage if not addressed quickly. skip the home experiments and call an emergency plumber immediately in this flooding situation!

In these sorts of complex or urgent clog cases, don’t waste time poking around yourself – work with a professional. Continuing to DIY could worsen the damage. A good plumber has video inspection tools, high-pressure jetters, and sewer augers that’ll fully clear out whatever congestion happens in the pipes.

FAQs

What’s the fastest way to unclog my tub drain?

Boiling water poured down the drain works quickest in my experience. It melts gunk rapidly. Add baking soda for extra dissolving power too.

What liquid works best for plunging effectiveness?

I recommend adding a bit of liquid dish or hand soap into the standing water first. It allows you to create better suction with the plunger against the tight drain hole.

Is using a wire clothes hanger to unclog drains safe?

I don’t recommend it. Scratching plastic pipes with sharp wires can worsen problems. Stick to drain snakes/augers specifically designed not to harm pipe walls.

Why does my drain get clogged even with a hair catcher?

Hair catchers aren’t foolproof if installed incorrectly or cleaned infrequently. For best results, check/empty the catcher monthly and ensure it’s firmly sealed to the drain so no hair sneaks by.

At what point should I call a plumber vs keep trying to DIY unclog?

If you’ve tried boiling water, homemade cleaners, plunging, snaking, and chemical drain cleaners with no improvement over 2-3 attempts, it’s time to hire a pro!

Final Thoughts

I hope by now you’ve got all the tools and knowledge needed to attack that clogged tub drain with this how to unclog a bathtub drain guide! Remember to start with the gentler homemade mixtures first before busting out the harsh chemicals. Learn how to drain your water heater DIY-style, but remember, if the task seems too daunting, don’t hesitate to call in a pro. You’ve got this! Soon, you’ll be enjoying quick-draining bathwater again with confidence.