what is the best way to unclog a bathtub?

Answer 1

hair plumbers love it ..........not!

remove the stopper from the waste comes out with a set of channel locks as described earlier, or a Philips screw driver if a lift and lock(star shaped) remove all hair around cross piece replace once done.

next remove overflow, use small 1/4" snake the hand held type works just fine push it down the overflow this will get you into the trap. rotate the snake this helps feed it down dint push too hard or you will kink the cable as you rotate the snake the hair catches in the snake pulls back slowly ( or it will be all over your walls) and replace the overflow with the hole to the bottom.

please dint use a coat hanger i have seen and repaired so many traps with holes poked thru them from a coat hanger and the only way to repair it is to cut open your ceiling.

drain cleaner works good i would recommend something stronger than Drano since hair does not dissolve quickly there are many acid based cleaners out there but be very careful it will discolour everything it touches and have plenty ventilation ( it stinks)
your local plumber can do this for you if you are not sure about using strong drain openers,
by acid based i mean hydrochloric or sulphuric but if you do please please please read the instructions. it can go horribly wrong if its not done right,

good luck

Answer 2

Do you share the tub with someone with long hair.
(I take it that you don't have that problem)

If it is hair snaking it is the best answer.
I have pulled wads of hair that were almost as wide as the drain & a foot or more long.

If the drain is real slow & you want to use drain cleaner(easy on pipes type only) You must put in enought drain cleaner to reach the stoppage. Pour it in untill it backs up to the top of the drain.
Let it drain down & pour in some more. It is posible to use 1/2 gallon or more. Let stand 1/2 hour or so. Run water slowly.
Some times plug may just slide down the pipe a little & stop up again. More cleaner.

They have treatments that you can put in to a slow drain & set over night & cleans. This could take several treatments.
It is a powder & you mix with water & pour in to drain.
Good to use on a regular basis.


Cheaper than calling a plumber or drain cleaner.

Answer 3

I am guessing you have a tub drain with a flip lever to drain the tub. If you do unscrew the 2 screws on the sides of the flip lever and pull it out. A rod with the stopper will be attched to the flip lever. clean off any hair thats wraped around it. Now look down in the drain hole on the bottom of the tub. If there is a drain cover remove it. The problem is usally hair gets stuck then soap scum attches to the hair. You need to reach into the drain with something like a bent wire to pull out the hair. I use a small pair of mechanical fingers. But a hanger thats bent like a hook on the end will do. Get as much hair as you can then run water to flush the rest down. You only run the wire in about 8 inches or less. Its really an easy fix. Then reinstall the Flip lever and stopper back in the hole it came out of.

Answer 4

Fill the tub about 1/4 full, Have stopper ready, push down on plunger, pull hard push again and pull hard keep up until you start getting hair and gunk from drain put in stopper and remove hair and gunk continue doing this until you can no longer get a suitable amount of hair and gunk from drain. Drano and other caustic substances will only cause you problems down the road...

Answer 5

T.Bell has the answer just remember use a pair of channel locks to loosen the top screw then the little brass bolt loosen it to.When you take it out use a pair of needle nose plyers to puu out the hair and throw it away.Then screw back on you are done.

Answer 6

Sometimes, all you have to do is unscrew the stopper and pull out all the nasty hair and gunk trapped there. It's a nasty job but someone's got to do it. I would recommend some of those yellow rubber gloves.

Answer 7

Get a good quality plunger, it should do the job.

For Gods sake DO NOT put any strong acid down there, as it will stain & ruin your tub. I know people who have done that.

Answer 8

they
sell a product at menards (or try other hardware type store) i cant recall the name but its in a black bottle , in a zipper bag 100% lye follow directions wont harm pipes it works every time for me.

Answer 9

after you try the snake, drano, liquid plumber, lye, and the hose-adapter, get yourself a bottle of sulfuric acid.

Answer 10

Draino or you could pour a large amount of bleach in it.