3 Easy Ways To Remove A Bathtub Clog

The best way to unclog your bathtub will depend on the location of the clog and the tools you have available. Most clogs in bathtub drains are located near the opening in the drain basket cross hairs. Both soap scum and hair collect in the basket over time. In these cases, a little bit of elbow grease is all you need to remove the clog. Deeper clogs can be taken care of in a couple of different ways. The following will help you figure out the best way to unclog your bathtub drain, depending on your situation.

Removing hair

The first step in unclogging your plumbing should be attempting to remove the hair from the drain basket. You can unravel a wire coat hanger and bend it at the end to act as a hook. Insert the hanger between the cross hairs and pull out any soap scum or hair that is lodged there. Almost all bathtub clogs are caused by blockages in the basket, so this is a good place to start. After you have cleaned the basket, flush your drain with hot water.

Plunging the drain

Your bathtub drain will need to be plunged if the clog is deep. To plunge the drain, remove the overflow cover by taking off the screws and pulling the overflow stopper from the pipe. Do not forget to stuff a rag in the overflow pipe. The rag will keep air from entering the pipe as you plunge the bathtub drain. Fill the tub with enough water to cover the base of the plunger. Perform several up-and-down movements with the plunger. The pressure will usually be enough to remove the clog. If you were able to remove the clog this way, finish by flushing the drain and pipes with hot water.

Using a drain snake

If the above methods did not work to remove the bathtub clog, you may need to use a plumbing snake. Remove the overflow cover and stopper, then feed the snake down the pipe. Fill your tub less than halfway full with hot water and continue to feed the drain snake down into the pipe until it stops. You will need to turn the handle on the snake while continuing to push it further down the drain at this point.

Once the snake hits an obstruction, you know you have reached the source of the problem. Turn the handle while moving the snake back and forth. The snake is supposed to burrow through the clog. If you have successfully broken through the clog, the water in the bathtub should begin to drain. Pull the drain snake out and replace the stopper and cover if this method was successful.

Professional plumbers can help remove tough bathtub clogs

If you cannot successfully remove the clog from your bathtub drain using these methods, consider calling a local plumbing company for help. Contact the professionals at Allen’s Tri-State Mechanical, Inc. in Amarillo, Texas for more information about how we can help you remove clogs in your plumbing. We provide commercial, heavy industrial, and residential services throughout the Texas Panhandle and Tri-State area. You can call us at (806) 376-8345 or Contact Us by email to learn more about our plumbing services. You can also visit us in person at 404 S. Hayden St. in Amarillo.