How to Unclog Bathtub? A Detailed Guide

There are a few simple ways to unclog the bathtub, including the chemicals, using drain claws, and home remedies.

We will describe each and every method in detail before we start on the ways of unclogging bathtub drains let’s discuss how to find out the bathtub drain is clogged and what are the reasons for such blockages.

How to Know If Your Bathtub Is Clogged?

In the event that your shower drains very slowly, and you regularly find that water remains in the shower for a long time after you’ve closed the tap, this is typically a sign that your bathtub drain is clogged or that a clog is forming.

An upsetting smell coming from your drain is a further indication of a clogged drain and might be the reason for the collected trash, which is clogging the inward walls of the lines.

A real drain blockage may even cause washroom flooding.

What Causes Drain Blockages?

Most of the time bathtub and shower drain blockages are typically caused by the accumulation of dirt, hair, and other small debris.

Long hairs collected in the drains are the most common reason for clogged drains.

These hair stick to the drain walls. After some time, the water flow slows down as its way is impeded by this accumulation.

This results in blockage and washroom flooding. In the event that your shower drains clog over and over again on different occasions, or there are different clogs in your home, this might be an indication of a more serious blockage in your main sewer line.

Also Read: How to Fix A Leaky Bathtub Faucet?

Detailed Guide to Unclog Bathtub

 

There are a few techniques that can be utilized for unclogging the bathtub drain.

The specific strategy likewise relies upon where the clog is. On the off chance that the issue is near the strainer, it can be taken out without much of a stretch.

Nonetheless, if the clog is further into the drain or funneling, you need explicit apparatuses, for example, a drain claw.

Unclogging the Drain with a Drain Claw

A drain claw is a hook with a flexible wire with an auger in one end.

The auger has numerous interlocking traps that make the claw catch the substances in the lines. It’s entirely flexible, so it fits effectively into the drain through traps and bends.

Follow these means to unclog your drain with a drain claw effectively:

Take out the Strainer

The strainer is intended to get big substances to forestall clogs, yet a few things actually go through it.

Hair and soap are ordinarily found under the strainer, and these can rapidly cause a clog.

Unscrew the Strainer

You may need to remove a screw first. Track down a proper screwdriver and turn it counterclockwise to remove it. If there is something else, feel free to lift it out.

Take out the Stopper

The stopper is somewhat further into the drain — it’s typically utilized above or directly under the strainer.

These are not difficult to take out since you will not have to eliminate any screws. You should simply twist and lift.

Gunk and filth regularly gather around the plug and strainer, which will cause a clog over the long run. Clean the two sections utilizing a wipe or a little brush.

Use the Claw

Now you can use the drain claw into the drain. At the point when you hit the bent drain joint, continue to push the hook through to get a thorough clean.

As you haul the claw out, the tiny interlocking snares will get whatever may be clogging the drain. Attempt to clean the snares as completely as possible. Keeping it clean is significant on the off chance that you need to have the option to utilize it once more.

Also Read: How to Caulk a Bathtub?

Test the Drain

Subsequent to pulling out however big gunk as could reasonably be expected, it’s an ideal opportunity to give the drain a test and check whether it’s clear or not.

Open the tap and check if the water runs down the drain easily. In the event that there are still indications of a clog, attempt again or utilize one of the different strategies underneath.

Fix the stopper again into the drain by pushing and twisting it into place. Replace the strainer and attach the screws if necessary. Here’s the complete guide on removing the bathtub drain.

Unclogging the Drain Using Chemicals

Chemical cleaners can be found in supply stores and on the website like Amazon and Home Depot.

These are very powerful at unclogging a drain, however, they can likewise cause severe fumes so you should keep the room ventilated.

Regular chemicals utilized are sodium hypochlorite and sodium hydroxide. These are powerful however can be harmful whenever blended in with different mixtures like ammonia. In case you’re utilizing an item containing these, make sure the room is ventilated.

While picking an item, make sure it’s safe for the kind of plumbing you have. It should state all you require to know on the packaging.  

Read the Packaging Instructions 

When utilizing chemical cleaners, you should follow the guidelines cautiously.

A few cleaners will expect you to wear protective stuff, like goggles and gloves. Others require just a limited quantity of the item, while some may require somewhat more to be compelling.

Remove Standing Water

In the event that your bathtub drains gave in during your shower, you have to drain them physically. You have to get a huge cup. Scoop the water out until the tub is unfilled.

Product Amount to Use 

When you’ve secured yourself with gloves and goggles, pour the necessary measure of the item in and around the drain.

Be mindful so as not to spill the item as you pour. In the event that you do end up spilling, tidy it up quickly to stay away from stains or harm.

You have to trust that the product you have used will do something amazing. Some products need 15 to 30 minutes while others need longer. Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for the best effectiveness. To remember the time, you can set a clock.

Flush with Cold Water

When the required time has passed, flush the shower and drain with cool water. Watch as the water leaves the tub and goes into the drain.

In the event that it’s actually clogged, there may be a more critical issue than soap and hair. We suggest that you call an expert if the drain actually leaves your tub overflowing with water.

Unclogging the Drain Using Home Remedies

For those of you who don’t really want to utilize possibly risky chemicals, there are some great home solutions for test:

Technique #1: Baking Soda and Vinegar 

All you need is a decent measure of hot water, baking soda, and vinegar for this technique. This technique is valuable for removing minor clogs.

Eliminate and clean: Start by eliminating and cleaning the stopper and strainer. Clean them completely to dispose of grime and hair.

Add items: Pour 4 ounces of vinegar and 4 ounces of baking soda straightforwardly into the drain. Permit the combo to stay there for five minutes.

Hot water: Fill a pot with water and allow it to reach boiling point. Empty the hot water into the drain; this will react with the vinegar and sodium bicarbonate.

Also Read: How hot are the hot tubs?

Technique #2: Tweezers 

Utilizing tweezers to clean a drain may sound a little bit tedious, however, it’s successful:

Prepare: Remove the strainer and stopper.

Tweezer: Use the tweezers to pick the clusters of hair that are clogging your drain.

It’s actually that simple and you can use this technique as it is best utilized for clearing blockages that you can see.

Strategy #3: Plunger 

Plungers are very successful at eliminating clogs from drains.

There are explicit models for sinks and bathtubs; these are somewhat cheaper than the typical latrine plunger.

Add water: Fill the tub marginally; the plunger needs a couple of pushes to work properly.

Plunge away: Place the plunger upward. At that point, press and pull in fast movements. Gunk and messy water may spout out of the drain — so be mindful so as not to get sprinkled.

In case you’re not seeing anything emerging from the drain, add more power. Think about utilizing one of our different techniques — if the blockage truly isn’t moving, attempt our vinegar and baking soda combo.

Strategy #4: Hot Water and Borax 

When utilizing Borax, wear defensive clothing, and wash all areas completely after use.

It can cause skin damage and is risky for youngsters and pets.

Borax is utilized for some, cleaning jobs like cleaning tubs and windows. It’s additionally exceptionally valuable at unclogging a drain. This is because it changes over water particles into hydrogen peroxide.

Also Read: How to remove bathtub drain?

Here’s our suggested strategy:

Get entrance: Use a screwdriver to eliminate the strainer and stopper.

Add borax: With the assistance of a pipe, empty 4 ounces of borax into the drain.

Join with water: Pour two cups of water gradually down the drain.

Pause: Allow the combination to stay there for 15 minutes.

Wash: Flus the tub and drain with cold water.

Repeat: You may have to repeat the process in case you’re trying to remove stubborn clogs.

Keeping the Drain Clear

Routinely cleaning the stopper and strainer is an ideal method to keep blockages from happening in the drain.

Hair and soap residue will rapidly develop between these parts, which is the most widely recognized justification causing a clog.

Eliminate the two sections and give them an intensive scour and wash with water. You can likewise utilize vinegar if there’s stubborn grime in the stopper or strainer.

When seven days, flush the drain utilizing hot water. Hot water is compelling at dissolving most clogs in a split second.

At the point when you empty hot water into the drain, it may sprinkle, so take care to stay away from consumption.

Check your drain at the time of replacing the strainer or stopper. Attempt to fill the tub marginally to perceive how quickly it drains. On the off chance that it’s actually clogged, you may require help from a handyman.

Do’s and Don’ts

DO: wear gloves while eliminating your bathtub drain stopper and strainer or cleaning your drain.

DO: utilize bathtub-friendly products to keep your bathtub free from chemical damage.

DO: call an expert handyman in the event that you have a repetitive bathtub clog or one you can’t clear all alone.

Don’t: disregard a sluggish bathtub drain as it most likely can cause a severe bathtub clog and can flood the washroom.

Also Read: Why Do Divers Use Hot Tub?

Conclusion:

Clogs in a bathtub can be stubborn, and they let the gunk, germs, and soap buildup gets accumulated in the tub.

Unclogging the drain is usually a feared task, yet it turns out to be significantly less unpleasant and disappointing whenever done consistently.

The specific strategy for how to unclog a bathtub drain relies upon where the clog is. You can check and clean the clog by clearing the strainer, but if the clog is further down the drain, you’ll need a drain claw or chemicals.