Lumps of hair and soap residues accumulate in the tub drain over time. Instead of spending a lot of money on a plumber, try to fix the problem yourself first! If the drain is not completely clogged and drains slowly, then there is no need to resort to drastic solutions. Read all the methods described in this tutorial first and choose the one that best suits your situation. You may need to try two or more techniques to completely unblock the drain, so don't give up if you don't succeed on the first try.
Steps
Method 1 of 5: With a Plumber's Probe
Step 1. Remove the drain
In most cases the hair and soap get stuck under this element which is on the drain. Although most drains are removable by hand, in some cases it is necessary to remove a screw. Use the proper screwdriver for this job.
- If you don't know which screwdriver to use, choose the one that fits correctly into the screw head.
- The tip of the screwdriver must fit perfectly, in shape and size, to the screw.
- Turn all the screws on the drain until they are all loosened. Store them in a safe place until the work is finished.
Step 2. Remove the cap
Some drains have a pop-up plug in place of the drain located in the same place. It is not difficult to take off because it is not fixed with any screws. Pull it out by twisting and lifting it.
Step 3. Eliminate dirt and encrustations from around the plug or drain
It is not uncommon for a lot of dirt to accumulate on these elements over time. Remove hair or soap residue you will also need to use a toothbrush, depending on their condition.
Step 4. Insert the plumber's probe into the drain
When it has penetrated to a certain depth it will meet the siphon, the curved part of the drain. Keep pushing the probe so that it gets over the obstacle - it's flexible and will bend.
Step 5. Pull out the probe
Its end has a "claw" shape with many interlocking hooks that will be able to grab the hair and pull out the engorgement. Clean the probe of all dirt if you want to use it again in the future. Hair and soap residue builds up within a few months, so it's always helpful to have a probe in top condition.
Step 6. Check if the drain is clear
The water should now flow smoothly. If this technique didn't work, try another one.
Step 7. Refit the drain or plug the same way you removed them
If the probe has done its job, you can now put back the elements you disassembled. Remember that the drain must be screwed back on while the cap must only be inserted into the drain.
Method 2 of 5: Chemical Detergents
Step 1. Buy a drain cleaner at the supermarket
This product is able to unclog a drain thanks to the chemical elements it contains, such as sulfuric acid and potassium hydroxide. When used correctly, it can eliminate most traffic jams. Choose the drain cleaner that best suits your needs among those available at the supermarket or hardware store.
- Check that the product is suitable for your system; read the label to see if the chemicals will not damage the material of your pipes.
- Purchase a specific drain cleaner for bathtubs.
- If you don't know where to find this product in the store, ask the clerk for help.
Step 2. Read the instructions on the package
These are the manufacturer's recommendations, and each drain cleaner works slightly differently than the others. In some cases it will be necessary to wear goggles, pour only a certain amount of liquid and so on. It is essential to read all the instructions to use the product safely.
Step 3. Eliminate any standing water in the tub
You may need a bucket or large bowl to get rid of any residual water.
Step 4. Pour the indicated amount of product down the drain
Some manufacturers recommend pouring about 1 liter down the drain, while others only pour 15 ml, depending on the active ingredient of the drain cleaner. Be careful not to splash as you open the package and pour the product.
- Clean up any sketches immediately.
- Always wear rubber gloves while handling chemicals.
Step 5. Wait for the drain cleaner to take effect
Some products need 15-30 minutes, so let them sit in the drain for this time. Set a timer to be sure.
Step 6. Rinse the drain with cold water
After 15-30 minutes, the liquid should have cleared the drain; open the cold water tap in the tub: you shouldn't notice any stagnation.
Step 7. Call a professional plumber if you haven't solved the problem
It is very dangerous to mix different chemicals together, so do not use another drain cleaner, if the first one has not had the desired effect. At this point, an intervention by the plumber is essential.
Method 3 of 5: Sodium Bicarbonate
Step 1. Clean the drain or plug
You will most likely notice that hair and soap residue has accumulated under these elements (which are located on the drain opening). Remove the screws that block the drain or remove the cap by turning and lifting it. Remove dirt with a brush.
Step 2. Boil some water in a kettle
Fill the appliance completely with water, there are no precise doses to be respected. Wait for the liquid to boil. If you don't have a kettle, you can use a large pot instead.
Step 3. Pour the boiling water directly down the drain
This should be enough to instantly free the tube. Remember that splashes of 100 ° C water could burn you. At this point, open the tap to check that the drain drains normally.
Step 4. Pour approximately 50g of baking soda and 240ml of white vinegar down the drain
If boiling water hasn't proven effective, then switch to baking soda and vinegar to get rid of excess dirt.
Step 5. Wait 15-20 minutes for the products to work
Set a timer so you don't go wrong.
Step 6. Boil more water with the kettle
Again, fill it with as much water as possible and turn it on.
Step 7. Pour the boiling water directly down the drain
The water should react with the vinegar and baking soda and unblock the conduit. Check if the method was successful and if not, try another technique. Baking soda and vinegar help you avoid chemicals, and are usually effective for small traffic jams; for this reason they do not always lead to positive results.
Method 4 of 5: Plunger
Step 1. Scrub the drain or plug to remove accumulated dirt
Remove the drain screws with the correct screwdriver. Twist and lift the cap to remove it. Scrub both elements to remove soap and hair traces.
Step 2. Fill the tub with a few inches of water
You must have enough water, so that the suction cup of the plunger is submerged and thus allows the "vacuum effect".
Step 3. Use the plunger to remove the blockage blocking the hose
Place the suction cup on the drain by pressing and pulling quickly several times. You will need to use some force, but still be cautious as you will be making several sketches. Dirty water and grime will most likely come out as you work with the suction cup.
- After about 10 compressions, check to see if the dirty water and grime begin to rise from the drain.
- If nothing happened, try again with greater force.
- Repeat this procedure several times until water runs down the drain when you remove the suction cup.
- If you are unable to get any congestion out of the pipe, you will need to try another method.
Method 5 of 5: Clean the Drain and Cap
Step 1. Remove the drain
Dirt accumulated on the drain or on the pop-up plug often causes slow water drainage. Remove all the screws that fix the drain using the right screwdriver; then put the screws in a safe place while you clean the drain. The pop-up cap is easy to remove because it is not fixed with any screws; you just need to rotate it and lift it.
- Most bathtub drains have a drain or pop-up plug.
- This method is typically effective for small clogs, so if your drain is really blocked, you may not get any results.
Step 2. Remove the excess dirt that is on the cap or drain
A large amount of material (lint and soap residue) may have accumulated, so you should use a brush.
Step 3. Refit the drain or pop-up plug just as you removed them
The drain must be screwed back in place, above the drain opening, while the plug must simply be inserted.
Step 4. Check the drain
Open the water tap to check that the drain is clear, if not, try another method.
Advice
- Wear rubber gloves when working around drains.
- Do not mix different chemicals together, you could create a dangerous mixture.
