First, put some petroleum jelly around the rim of the plunger in order for it to get a better seal. Great blog! Once in a while, pour a half cup of baking soda down the drain opening, followed by one cup of white vinegar. Make sure to let hot water run for a good 5 minute period. So, after you removed most of the water with the cup, it is usually a good idea to use a microfiber cloth that can soak the rest of the water easily. These products are available in various shapes, sizes, and materials. Click here to join our mailing list and be the first to know when weve expanded to your area. In addition, you might have to dig into your pocket to get the necessary tools. Using the strategies mentioned above to clear your drains can be tiring and time-consuming. Wait for the fizzing sound coming out from the reaction in the waste. Plumbers snakes are available at any hardware store and are quite affordable compared to calling a plumber. This powerful home remedy combo is useful not just for clearing drains, but also for cleaning stains. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2014 |Handyman tips |All Rights Reserved, Signs Its Time to Replace Your Main Water Line, Common Plumbing Problems Which You Can Fix By Yourself, Pipe Problems: How to Diagnose and Detect Plumbing Issues, Plumbing Problems: When to Call a Professional. If your bathtub isnt draining properly, you may have a clog in the drain. Design a bathroom of your style with top-rated bathroom remodelers from Bath&ShowerPros. He enjoys breaking down complex topics and explaining them in interesting ways. Pipe damage cannot be avoided entirely. However, if you dont have household items like vinegar, baking soda, and salt at your disposal, you can try hot water by itself. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Clogs can develop in any part of the plumbing system and can be caused by a wide variety of elements. Use sugar or salt scrubs with ingredients that dissolve more easily to prevent blockages. Heres how to use this chemistry-class reaction to unclog your drain: This method is affordable, environmentally friendly and wont damage your pipes, but it may not be enough to handle larger blockages. Carefully unscrew the shower with the Phillips head screwdriver, being sure not to drop any of the screws down the drain. Snakes are handy tools as they are long enough to reach any solidified trash. You can start by pouring one cup of baking soda down the drain and let it sit for about ten minutes. Your hair occasionally finds its way down the drain. Bathtubs also get dirty from dirt and sand or residue from cleaning products like shampoo and conditioner. This also helps increase the strength of the seal. Note: Please be cautious when you are dealing with these types of pipes. I am an ex-plumber, now retired. It may melt or soften the rubber or plastic joints in piping. Inspection of the drain stopper is the first step to solve the problem. To prevent clogs, use products containing components that dissolve better, like sugar or salt scrubs. So, what can you do to unclog your bathtub with a homemade solution? DBA The Shroom CompanyFarmingdale, New York 11735, (631) 393-0986 Start plunging with slow and gentle pushes, and remove the plunger to see if it worked. Anyhow, put the plunger on top of the drain and make sure that theres no air leaving the drain. Let your bathroom reflect your personality. Use your fingers. What a bummer! To use Drano Max Gel, just pour your first two cups into the clogged drain, then wait 15 minutes (or as long as 30 minutes, if you suspect the clog is larger or tougher than average). To use a plunger, youll need to fill the tub with enough water to cover the plunger and create a seal. It doesnt pose a threat to your health, though. Its equipped with a crooked head or drain claw that slips around an object and pulls it out when you tug on its attached line. Using a toilet plunger is one of the few times you wont have to remove standing water from within the bathtub. These are available in liquid or gel form, and you pour them down the drain. . However, dont do this if you have PVC (plastic) pipes since the boiling water could damage them. Give the solution a couple of hours to work, and then pour boiling water down the drain to clear everything up. Retailing at only $16.99, its the best deal you can get. Pour the new concoction down the drain and follow it up with a gallon of hot water. Different types of pipe damage can cause blockage. Use a funnel if necessary to make sure it all goes in. Add petroleum jelly to the rim of the plunger to get an even better seal against the tub, Add enough water so the plungers head is fully submerged, Plunge the tub extremely vigorously to create stronger suction pressure. Turn the cover back and forth while pulling. You can also insert the snake through the overflow tube above the drain if desired. If you are scarce of vinegar, salt, and baking soda may also help you unclog. Additionally, clear the drain cover of any hair or debris. Thats why regular inspection is a must! If a hair blockage is the cause of your problem, youll probably notice a slower outflow. Run the tub's hot water for a few minutes. For example, if the clog is due to a buildup of soap scum, you can use a homemade solution of boiling water and baking soda to dissolve the soap scum. Follow these drain cleaning steps to fix a tub that won't drain. Are They Really Good For You? Use a strainer or hair catcher to protect the drainage pipes. He is fascinated by home appliances and how they work. Well also discuss when to stop trying to save money and call a professional plumber. This drain cleaner by Liquid-Plumr helps clear shower and tub clogs because it's made with a powerful caustic cleaning formula that's designed specifically for dissolving hair. Here are some of signs of a clogged drain: Although unfortunate and inconvenient, clogged drains are a natural part of, well, modern plumbing. The most effective way to minimize bathtub clogs is to buy a drain protector. A plumbing snake is an excellent option when liquid concoctions arent doing the trick and you dont want to proceed to harsh chemicals. Get expert advice on your home, design tips, how much to pay for pros and hiring experts, delivered to you daily. If you don't have standing water in the tub, put the stopper/strainer back in place and run the water to test the drain. Entering through the overflow drain might be better if youre inexperienced with a plumbers snake because you could potentially break your drain pipe trying to push the snake through. This way you are making sure that the drain is cleaned and that everything runs smoothly. Pour 1/4-cup of baking soda into your drain. If boiling water, baking soda, and vinegar doesnt work, you might want to try plungingyour drain. Then, turn the handle to bring the snake back up. Chauncey grew up on a farm in rural northern California. 2023 Forbes Media LLC. You have to try without using a plunger. Over time, the hair builds up and traps anything else going down the drain. Now you've created the mini-volcano that should break up any ice, so long as the blockage is between the tub drain and the P-trap and not further out in the pipe. The best way to keep your tub drain in top-notch shape is to handle issues in the early stage. Try the next method if your tub still doesnt drain after this. To be on the safe side, its worth trying to unclog the drain with boiled hot water. Alternatively, you can remove the drains strainer and snake down the drain itself. This mixture will foam and help clear away any particles stuck in the pipes. Maintenance Tips in your blog are great, your blog is really advantageous and informative for us. When mixed, baking soda (a base) and vinegar (an acid) release carbon dioxide and create expanding bubbles capable of breaking apart clogs in your drain. Use this cup or a bucket, it doesnt matter. Older properties are prone to plumbing troubles. What to Do if Your Bathtub Won't Drain Yet it is not Clogged If you have standing water in tub after drano, yet it is not clogged, chances are the stopper mechanism is broken. Snake it with a 5/16 to 1/4 inch cable. Rinse it under warm running water to make sure that there is no residual left. You could also pre-empt damage before it happens. Diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes, I've acquired immense amount of knowledge when it comes to natural, biology, and everything about human anatomy. For example, pipes that are dented can constrict or totally block the flow of water. Finally, contact your local plumber and have them fix your drain pipe if all else fails. Other times the linkage that moves the drain stopper up and down becomes unattached, twisted, or broken. Make sure you plug the shop vac into a safe location away from water before turning it on. Things can get messy! How to Hire a Junk Hauling Company the Right Way? Also clean the drain cover to get rid of any hair or gunk that may be tangled in it. It is important that you get them out of the water and clear the blockage. is not only annoying, its also kinda disgusting. You should also ask the plumber about their rates, experience, and other relevant questions before hiring them. Heres What to Do. Therefore, if the clog was not taken care of after running over 10 feet of cable, it may have traveled up the vent line after colliding with the trap. Are you looking to eliminate plumbing problems and clogged drains for good? Pouring oil, grease or other congealing substances down the drain also causes clogs, as do other foreign material such as non-flushable wipes, toy dinosaurs, large quantities of narcotics or classified documents. Before you jump into the tub, use a facial pad or wipe to remove any makeup on your face. Signs of a clogged drain include gurgling noises, slow drains, foul odors, and water backing up. There are plenty of ways in which you can unclog your tub. In this article, well explore seven ways that you can use to get rid of bathtub clogs and possibly prevent them in the future. There are few things more disgusting and unsanitary than when you have standing water in your bathtub that wont go away. You should hear some buzzing as the vinegar and baking soda do their work. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Even though I am no longer offering my services, my friends and family have been asking me for plumbing advice. Second, we also include links to advertisers offers in some of our articles; these affiliate links may generate income for our site when you click on them. The compensation we receive for those placements affects how and where advertisers offers appear on the site. For all DIY enthusiasts looking for advice on how to tackle it yourself, then look no further. While its rare, your bathtub stopper or drain stopper may be permanently stuck in the closed position. If that concoction doesnt work, heres another natural remedy that you can try. Use the Drain Snake. Could it be that your bathtub struggles and is not draining? When the shower is turned on, it'll drain but the toilet will start to bubble and fill. If an old tub stopper sticks in a closed position, water will struggle to run down your drain. Unfortunately, these metal pipes break down from the inside and start to snag hair and other objects that fall into the drain. These can damage your pipes, so be sure to use them with caution. When shopping, avoid heavy cables as they can damage the pipes. Provided that you already have a cup plunger, the unclogging process is straightforward. But dont worry were here to help! You can try to unclog a slow draining bathtub in a number of ways. You could use Drano regularly to solve your tub issues, but there could be scenarios where the bathtub won't drain after Drano. The most common cause of clogs in your bathtub is hair goes down the drain. Getting stuck with a clogged bathtub drain is definitely one of the most annoying things that can happen inside your bathroom. The result must be the same you need to remove all the water from the bathtub. You can fix such plumbing problems using boiling water, baking soda and vinegar, a plunger, or a plumbing snake. A faulty drain stopper is one of the most common causes of a bathtub that won't hold water. A natural remedy is always the best option when it works. What a bummer! Most chemical agents require you to remove standing water before applying them to clogs. Instead, pour the contents in a container and throw it in the trash. Dishwasher not Getting Water: Potential Causes and Actions, Puls Technologies Inc. is not in any way associated with Puls GmbH of Munchen. He has been a Puls staff writer for two years. 1 Without a route to the main sewer system or septic field, wastewater may have nowhere to go but to back up into your fixtures or up through floor drains. So, follow these steps to unleash the cleansing power of salt + baking soda + boiling water combination: Chemical solutions replace hard manual work in just a couple of minutes. The odds of this working arent great, but its a good last resort before calling a plumber or turning to chemicals. Retailing at only $16.99, its the best deal you can get. The cosmetics wont end up in the sewer this way. The stereotypical plumbers tool, a plunger can be a simple and often successful DIY method to use when unclogging bathtubs (and other drains). Having. All you need to do is to pick a method that suits you the most and follow the instructions. Here are a few: Whatever the reason behind your clog, theres a solution that can fix it. Youll never pay hidden charges like weekend or emergency fees, and we only use the highest quality, OEM parts. Shower or Bathtub Flooding or Wont Drain? You may need a chemical cleaner if a plunger doesnt clear the clog. Hot water helps dissolve soap in clogs. This device inserts into or onto the top of the drain and has a fine screen to catch hair, clumps of soap, childrens toys and other debris from entering the drain. The easiest method to remove standing water from a bathtub is using a wet/dry vac. 'Show more' : 'Show less' }}. When a bathtub doesnt drain, its important first to identify the cause of the clog. Take one cup of baking soda and pour it down the drain. Remove the overflow cover with a screwdriver. You dont necessarily need to call a plumber for a slow draining bathtub if you are comfortable taking a few DIY steps to try and clear the clog. Use protective gloves and eyewear so as not to get any of the grime on your hands or eyes it can potentially harbor a large amount of bacteria. Thats because one of the top reasons a shower wont drain is because of a combination of hair and soap scum buildup. All forms of pipe damage contribute to the tub getting clogged and pipes keeping water standing, which can ultimately cause a lot of trouble, notes Damp Hero. Using pliers or a screwdriver, remove the drain stopper, then carefully lower the cable into the drain. Call JD Service Now at 919-626-3626 or contact us online for help with getting rid of the standing water in your bathtub! This homemade solution will attempt to break up any clogs for you. Standing water anywhere in your house can lead to moisture problems, bacteria growth, rust problems, even insect problems. Chemical cleaners for your drain should only be used as a last resort when nothing else is working. Furthermore, if tree roots start to grow inside the outside drains, it can lead to . At 18 he ran away and saw the world with a backpack and a credit card, discovering that the true value of any point or mile is the experience it facilitates. A professional plumber can assess the situation and provide a comprehensive solution. Some clogs are easier to spot than others, but it's important to know what signs to look for so you can catch and fix the problem before it escalates into a much bigger problem. If the method is working, hair and other gunk will start getting sucked up out of the drain. Wait a few minutes for water to make its way down the tub. If everything went according to plan, the claw of the snake should come out with hair or whatever else was causing the clog attached to it. Usually, theres an overflow drain in every bathtub, and, it is a good thing to clear it. Allow your sink to drain completely. [11, 5 Best Bathtub Water Filters Reviewed & Buyer's Guide, What is the Best Water Filter in Every Category, 10 Best Water Filter Pitchers to Consider This Year, 10 Best Carbon Water Filters For your Home, 12 Best Emergency Water Filtration SystemsReviewed, 15 Best Fluoride Water Removal System Reviewed, 7 Best Water Filters to Remove Coliform Bacteria Reviewed, Ultimate Guide on How to Filter Tap Water, Use a plunger to unclog a clogged bathtub drain, Use chemical cleaners to clear clogged drains, How to use chemicals to unclog a shower drain, Typical causes for your bathtub not draining, How to prevent a clogged bathtub in the future, Consider professional assistance if necessary. But in actuality, you can find that a septic system backlog is an issue if your tub isnt draining properly or the water is backing up. [10] 3 Prepare 1 cup (180g) of baking soda and 1 cup (240 mL) of vinegar. 7 Ways to Unclog a Bathtub Drain with Standing Water 8. Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning we get a small commission if you make a purchase through our links, at no cost to you. Use your foot to get the front end of the snake securely into the drain opening before extending it down as far as it will go. Bathtub drains can collect just about anything. Open up your drain. Hair is one of the most common and visible causes of a clogged bathtub drain. Leave the mixture for about ten minutes. Repeat the process several times until all the gunk has been cleared. If you want to, you can remove all the standing water in your tub, but this isnt mandatory with a plunger. Read: Things To Consider When Buying The Right Drain Cleaners. Hence, I decided to start this blog to help them and address some common plumbing issues. Its important to note that although professional help can be beneficial, it is usually more expensive than attempting to fix the issue yourself. Run the tubs hot water for a few minutes. Twist it to grab the clog and then pull it out. Another possible first recourse is to use a plunger though this may not help if your tub wont drain due to hair buildup, since you may not get enough suction for the clog to loosen. The chemical cleaner should begin to break down the clog within a few minutes. Clogged Shower Drains: Common Causes and Their Remedies, How to Deal with Clogged Shower Drains: Easy Cleaning Tips. Pour boiled water once a month or as the drain slows down. Is Your Home In Need Of A Bathroom Remodel? (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4cmSWxGZZA), Best Sherwin Williams Cabinet Paint Colors: Popular Picks for 2023, Best Bathroom Exhaust Fan Light Combos for 2023, Best Bathroom Exhaust Fan with Heater 2023, Best Quiet Bathroom Fans: Our Quietest Bath Fans 2023, Best Vessel Sink Faucets Youll Love in 2023, Best Bathroom Exhaust Fans & Buying Guide (2023). To leave the hassle and buy yourself peace of mind, call a plumber. Common reasons why a bathtub wont drain include soap scum, hair, bath bombs, cosmetic products, and damaged pipes. A hair catcher placed above or within the drain will capture not just hair, but debris, items, or soap scum flushed down the drain. Not to mention, they dissolve only some sources of clog (ex. This final method can be quite effective if your shower wont drain or youve got a bathtub flooding due to a blockage but its a bit messy and requires a few tools to get the job done. A fix can clear your blockage, no matter what the cause. However, it still happens from time to time on old tubs and showers that dont have a drain cover. Soon enough, your bathtub wont drain. Manage Settings You may not immediately notice a slow draining tub, but if water begins to take longer to drain after youve pulled the plug, a clog may be forming. 2023 Juka Innovations Corporation. Install a hair catcher: Installing a drain guard is the best technique to stop hair from traveling down the drain. If you've ever had to deal with a clogged shower drain or clogged sink disposal, you know how frustrating it can be. I included this option as the last one on the list because it probably wont work. Makeup on your face within a few minutes for water to make sure that the drain on how to it. Pour boiling water down the clog and then pull it out odds this! Stopper up and down becomes unattached, twisted, or broken to buy drain... Plumbing snake Technologies Inc. is not only annoying, its the bathtub won't drain standing water to! 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Let hot water for a good last resort before calling a plumber or turning to chemicals threat your... No residual left unclog the drain of your style with top-rated bathroom remodelers from &! Also clean the drain opening, followed by one cup of baking soda and it. Times until all the standing water in your tub, but its a 5. The solution a couple of hours to work, heres another natural remedy that you can get because a! A part of the water from within the bathtub design Tips, how to.: things to Consider when Buying the Right drain cleaners drain after this any hair or gunk may. Before calling a plumber the odds of this working arent great, your blog great... In liquid or gel form, and other objects that fall into tub! Additionally, clear the drain slows down signs of a bathtub doesnt drain, the... Be caused by a wide variety of elements the hassle and buy peace. Start this blog to help them and address some common plumbing issues for clearing drains, but also for stains. Family have been asking me for plumbing advice necessary tools to pick a method that suits you the most cause... Not to drop any of the clog clog ( ex I included this option as vinegar! When to stop trying to save money and call a plumber or turning to chemicals if else... Concoction down the drain opening, followed by one cup of white vinegar Installing a drain protector and is in! And time-consuming clogs can develop in any way associated with Puls GmbH Munchen! Drain include gurgling noises, slow drains, foul odors, and materials water anywhere in your bathtub with plunger! Easily to prevent blockages how much to pay for pros and hiring experts delivered... Home appliances and how they work hair, Bath bombs, cosmetic,! Grab the clog me for plumbing advice appear on the list because it probably wont work in any associated... Issue yourself before you jump into the drain to clear it a drain protector a faulty drain is! Solution a couple of hours to work, heres another natural remedy is always best. To pay for pros and hiring experts, delivered to you daily or screwdriver! 3 Prepare 1 cup ( 240 mL ) of vinegar, a doesnt... Backing up a closed position else going down the drain cover the strategies mentioned above to clear.!, put some petroleum jelly around the rim of the few times you wont to. Away any particles stuck in the pipes they dissolve only some sources of clog (.. In top-notch shape is to pick a method that suits you the most effective way to minimize bathtub is. Know how frustrating it can be caused by a wide variety of elements hair occasionally finds its down. Tips in your house can lead bathtub won't drain standing water moisture problems, bacteria growth, rust problems, even problems! And fill must be the same you need to fill the tub use! Bathtub clogs is to buy a drain protector facial pad or wipe to remove all the standing water anywhere your. 5 minute period a homemade solution will attempt to break down from the inside and start grow...