Drain clogs take a long time to develop. Once they do they can cost you time and money to fix, but many people are unaware that there are more safe and less costly solutions than a bottle of drain cleaner, or hiring a professional. The culprits are usually hair, scum, and soap, but with a little know-how, you can learn how to fix a clogged bathtub drain.
If your drain is not yet completely clogged, you can often dislodge the clog just by running hot water in your tub for a bit. While water will not work on plastic or metal, it might be effective against hairballs and dirt. You can also pour a cup of salt into the drainpipe first, followed by boiling water, to dissolve any residue stuck there.
Another method to try, perhaps the most well known, is the handy plunger. First stuff the overflow plate with cloth. If you think the overflow plate might be clogged too, remove it and its parts, and clean it first. With the plunger, push water down the drain hole to dislodge the clog. Then replace the cover plate. Another option is to plunge the drain, again stuffing the overflow hole with a rag to prevent the suction from escaping. Pull out the clog if it get close to the surface.
If this fails, try an unwound coat hanger or any other flexible wire that will withstand pressure but will bend to make turns. Push it into the drain hole and move around to unclog the bathtub drain. You can also enter through the overflow hole if you can not get to the clog through the drain hole.
If you have tried everything and are still unsuccessful, try a plumbers stake. It is also known as a cable auger. Place the tip into the drain hole and push as far as you can. After you have tightened the binding screw on the snake and twisted, the tip will take hold of the clog. Plumbers stakes are inexpensive and very efficient: they can bend as they work their way along drainpipes and can reach a couple feet.
Your final option is to go with a chemical drain cleaner. Although harmful to sewage systems and people, they are very effective. They can reach even further than a plumbers stake but unfortunately are both caustic and dangerous when mixed with foreign chemicals or water. So do not use them if your tub is backed up with water. Also remember to wear safety glasses and gloves, for your protection. After the chemical drain cleaner has had 30 minutes to bread down your clog, clear it with hot water.
Of course your drain might be clogged deeper than 3 feet, which is the furthest home methods will unclog. In that case your only choice is to call a plumber, which can be costly and time consuming.
If you are really determined not to deal with clogged bathtub drains, practice prevention. Ensure the grate is in place and keep the it clean. Take the grate off once in a while and clean the underside, as well as any hair or soap particles you see in the drain pipe. If, however, you find your it gets plugged anyways, turn to these quick solutions before you reach for the phone book and throw your hard-earned money down the drain.
Get the low down on the best ways to clear a clogged bathtub drain now in our complete overview of easy plumbing solutions on http://magicplumbing.com/