So, I’m pretty excited to share this with you. Yesterday, at exactly 5:41 pm, I took charge of our clogged bathtub drain—without calling a plumber or spending a single penny! And no harsh chemical drain cleaners like Drain-o or Liquid Plumr either. Yep, I handled it all by myself while John was at work (gotta love that girl power!).
We’d asked for tips on social media earlier, and we received nearly 200 suggestions (thanks, everyone!). We even had some plumbers chime in with their expert advice. Here’s what we tried and what finally worked.
The Techniques We Tried
Before we asked for help, we gave a few methods a shot. Some might work if your clog is less stubborn, and they’re also great for kitchen sinks, bathroom sinks, or shower drains. Unfortunately, they didn’t do much for us:
- Fishing around with my fingers: I managed to pull out a hairball (John called it a “Sherr-ball”), but it didn’t help much.
- Plunging: A few extra things came up, but the water level stayed the same.
- Drain snake (25 feet long): We had pretty low expectations for this one, and it didn’t do the trick.
- Boiling water: I boiled water and poured it down the drain like I did last year with the kitchen sink. After five tries, the tub just got more water in it.
I also tried a $3 tool called Zip-It that a friend recommended from Facebook. It didn’t work anywhere near as well as the commercial made it seem, but at least it didn’t pull up anything too gross!
How We Finally Unclogged Our Bathtub?
So, here’s the method that cleared our drain and got the water flowing again. We’re pretty sure some of the previous techniques helped, but this was the process that actually worked:
Step 1: Remove Standing Water
First, get rid of any water that’s sitting in the tub. You can use a bucket, towels, or a sponge. I dumped the water into the toilet and let it flush itself. Kinda fun, right?
Step 2: Unscrew the Overflow Cover
Use a screwdriver to remove the metal cover under the faucet (this is the overflow valve). Pull out the metal coil and check for any hair or debris. Clean it off if needed. If it’s already clean, no worries. If your tub doesn’t have an overflow valve, just skip to the next step.
Step 3: Plug the Overflow
Grab a wet washcloth and stuff it into the overflow drain opening under the faucet. This keeps the pressure you’re about to apply from escaping. A tight seal is key!
Step 4: Plunge the Drain
Take a toilet plunger and go to work on the drain. If the washcloth comes loose, just shove it back in. If someone is around to help, they can hold the washcloth for you to make sure the seal stays tight.
Step 5: Keep Going!
I almost gave up after 40 plunges without any progress. But the thought of showering in 5 inches of stagnant water kept me going! After another dozen strong plunges, I heard that glorious gurgling sound. Water started swirling down the drain—and I was totally misty-eyed with joy!
Step 6: Replace the Overflow Cover
Once the water’s flowing again, screw the overflow cover back in place and call up all your friends to brag about your newfound plumbing skills!
Bonus Step: Baking Soda + Vinegar
To be extra thorough, I did the baking soda trick again. Pour half a cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by a cup of white vinegar. Let it sit for 5 minutes, then flush it down with a gallon of boiling water. This is like a mini science experiment, and it works wonders to clear out any last bits of gunk.
And just like that, the drain was clear. No chemicals, no plumber, and no extra cost. It was all me! But honestly, I still recommend hiring a pro if the issue is more complicated. We’ve had a more serious bathtub drain problem before, and a plumber was essential.
How to Prevent Clogs?
As proud as I am of fixing this, I don’t plan on doing it again anytime soon. So, here’s what we’re doing to prevent future clogs:
- Mesh drain trap: We’re adding a better drain trap to catch more hair than the current metal plug.
- Pre-shower hair brushing: I’ll brush my hair before I get in to prevent too much hair from going down the drain.
- Monthly maintenance: We’re making the baking soda and vinegar treatment a monthly routine to keep things flowing.
Additional Clog Removal Ideas
Some of our readers suggested a few other methods that we didn’t try, but might be worth considering if you’re still stuck:
- Dawn dish soap: Pour it down the drain and let it sit to break up grease.
- Wire hanger: Use it to fish out the clog.
- CLR Plumber: A pressurized air can that might blast the clog loose.
- Chemical products: Drain-o, Liquid Plumr, or similar products can help, but always follow the instructions carefully.
- Nair: Some people use it to break down hairballs.
- Coke: Pour a two-liter bottle down the drain to help erode the clog.
- Kleer Drain: Available at Home Depot, it can blast through clogs.
- Drain balloon: Use it with a garden hose to get things moving again.
- Drain claw: Use it to grab debris.
- Remove the trap: If you can access the trap, remove it and snake the drain from there.
- Vent pipe: Check your roof’s vent pipe to ensure it’s clear.
- Stopper valve: Make sure the stopper didn’t fall closed and block the drain.
A Few Final Warnings
We’re not professional plumbers, so some of these techniques may require further research or expert advice. Be sure to consider the condition of your plumbing, as harsh chemicals can damage certain pipes, especially newer PVC ones. If you’ve already tried chemicals like Drain-o or Nair, tell your plumber what you’ve used to avoid causing any dangerous reactions!
