Hairy bathtub drain clogged—household issue common but truly top annoying. Over time, hair gathers soap scum and other residues and leads to slow drainage or clogs. A quick action must be taken to solve this issue to ensure a clean and working toilet facility.
Project Overview
Time Needed: 15 – 20 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes – 1 day
Skill Level: Beginner
Estimated Cost: $5 to $25
Preventive Measures
To prevent hair clogs:
- Clean Of Hair: Pick out hairs or strands after every wash or bath. This simple habit can prevent bigger clogs from developing.
- Pay Attention to Drain Guards: By placing a hair trap or drain screen in your shower or sink, you can capture the hair before it has a chance to go down the drain. Clean the screen or stopper regularly to maintain its function.
- Pre-Wash Hair Brushing: A few strokes with a brush can help keep the amount of hair that goes down the drain in the shower to a minimum.
Safety Precautions
When dealing with a clogged drain:
- Rubber gloves: Protect your hands from bacteria and sharp objects. You may also want to consider wearing safety glasses to keep any splashes away from your eyes.
- Chemical Caution: While using chemical drain cleaners, be careful because they can irritate the eyes and skin. Follow the instructions that come with the product and make sure the room is properly ventilated.
Tools and Materials Needed
Equipment / Tools:
- Safety glasses
- Rubber gloves
- Hair removal tool or drain snake
- Bucket
- Plastic funnel
Materials:
- Optional——Liquid drain opener
- Paper towels
- Baking soda
- Vinegar
How to Unclog a Bathtub Drain
Following are five ways to control hair clogs in your bathtub drain:
1. Using a Hair Removal Tool
A hair removal tool is a strip of plastic with serrated edges, which can be bent to remove the hair clogs.
- Take out the bathtub stopper to get access to the drain.
- Introducing the Tool: Gently slide the hair removal tool down the drain until resistance is met. Move it up and down, to snag the hair.
- Pull Out the Clog: Gently extract the tool, with the hair clump attached. Get rid of the hair, clean the tool for future use.
- Warning: The tool has sharp teeth, so please use with caution.
2. Using a Drain Snake
A drain snake, or plumber's auger, is a long, flexible metal cable that can reach deeper clogs.
- Ways to Prepare the Area: Empty the tub of any standing water and remove the stopper.
- Insert the Snake: Push the snake into the drain until you encounter resistance, which is the clog.
- Getting the Clog Out: Rotate the snake to break up the clog or catch it.
- Pull the Snake: Gently pull the snake out, pulling any dislodged material along with it. This includes disposing of the debris properly.
3. Method of Combining Baking Soda and Vinegar
This natural solution utilizes a chemical reaction to dissolve clogs.
- Use Baking Soda: Add a cup of baking soda down the drain.
- Add One Cup of Vinegar: Next come one cup of vinegar. The combination will fizz, aiding in the breakdown of the clog.
- Wait: Let the solution sit for roughly 15 minutes.
- Flush With Hot Water: Rinse the basin with a kettle of boiling water to wash the dissolved blockage down the drain.
Note: Do not use boiling water if you have PVC pipes — high temperatures could damage. Instead, use hot tap water.
4. Manual Removal
Manual removal might also work for shallow clogs near the surface of the drain.
- Remove the Drain Cover: Use a screwdriver or prying tool to remove the drain cover and gain access to the clog.
- Grab the Clogs: Use tweezers, a bent wire hanger or your fingers (if you're wearing gloves) and remove the hair clog.
- If clear, replace the drain cover securely.
5. Using a Plunger
A plunger can suck to clear clogs.
- Seal the Overflow Drain: Block the overflow hole with a damp rag for effective suction.
- It might sound almost stupid, but the best way to plunge is putting the plunger over the drain and making sure it is sealed tightly.
- Plunge: Firmly thrust the plunger in and out to create suction and pressure that can dislodge the obstruction.
- Test the Drain: Pull out the plunger and test whether your clog has been cleared by running water.
Preventive Tips
How to keep a bathtub drain from clogging:
- Routine Maintenance: Clean regularly where those methods above can be used to avoid accumulation.
- Put Drain Letting Protectors: Hair catching devices placed in your sink or bathtub to keep hair out of the drain.
- Dispose of the Right Way: Don't dump grease, oils.
When to Call a Professional
If all of these methods fail, the clog is likely located deeper in the plumbing system itself or the product of something other than hair buildup, such as a tree root intrusion or damaged pipe. If that doesn't do the trick and the water continues to slowly drain or back up after multiple attempts to clear the clog, it's time to call a licensed plumber.
Final Thoughts
A clogged bathtub drain is an inescapable home problem that can often be handled quickly using the best gear and methods. Whether it's a hair removal tool, a drain snake, or a natural solution like baking soda and vinegar, acting fast will keep you from experiencing a worse clog in the long run. Some muscle: Regular maintenance, such as placing a drain cover to catch hair and removing any loose strands after each shower, will keep your plumbing functioning well and help you avoid expensive repairs.
So the next time your drain starts to slow, don't panic — just put on your gloves, choose your method and get to work. You (and your future self) will thank you for your bathtub!
FAQS
1. Is it possible to clear a bathtub drain packed with hair with a wet/dry vacuum?
Yes! A wet/dry vacuum can be an unexpectedly useful tool for pulling out hair clogs. Enable the vacuum for liquid only, then with a rubber attachment or wet cloth cover the hole as best you can. Turn it on at full power, and the suction might pull the clog out. This technique will help with hair clogs near the surface, but may not work as well for blockages deeper down.
2. Can I combine various drain cleaners to eliminate tough hair clogs?
Absolutely not. Team up chemical drain cleaners of different types, they can spewed noxious fumes or find dangerous chemical reactions that may damage your pipes or even your health. Do not reach for the next cleaner if one fails. Instead, rinse the drain with water and wait at least 24 hours before trying another method.
3. My bathtub still drains slowly even after removing the hair clog, why?
If you have removed hair that is visible, but your tub is still draining slowly, the culprit may be a buildup of soap scum, mineral deposits or grease further down the pipes. If you want to get a little more serious, try pouring a combination of baking soda and vinegar followed by boiling water down your drain, which can dissolve residue. If the problem continues, you may have a deeper clog that requires a plumber's help.
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