my bathroom tub/shower has a slow drain?

Question

I think I have cleaned it out many times only to gag on what lingers in the drain. I don't have soft water. My tub has like an orange ring of soap scum/rust. That when we moved in it wasnt there. I clean my house regularly like every week. I have used comet, bam, clr, lime away, draino, bleach, anything you name it i used it and i cannot get rid of it. I also clean the hair out of the drains on a monthly basis and it stills seams every time we shower there is about a inch of water we stand in. also when you clean your bathroom where do you start? I start with the sink and mirrors the toilet is always last.

Answer 1

Call a plumber.

Answer 2

Go to the hardware store and purchase a drain strainer, this will keep all that stuff (hair etc.) from going down the drain, that is the biggest majority of your problem. Mix in a two quart (half gallon) container 1 cup table salt, 1 cup baking soda (arm & hammer type) and 3/4 cup of vinegar, stir until dissolved, it will bubble like crazy, pour down the drain where the standing water is at, wait 20 minutes and pour a gallon of very hot water down the drain. This should open it up, but if it is still sluggish try repeating the proceedure. I know it works, I have used this on my bath tub, kitchen sink and washing machine drain. My cleaning routine is the same as yours.
Good Luck with the clogged drain!

Answer 3

The orange ring is caused by hard minerals in the water. It sounds like you're on a well-water system -- if so, consider getting a water softening system like Culligan.

As for the slow drain, try using Drano's foaming cleaner. It's powerful good stuff.

If you've tried repeated treatments, and still have no luck, start looking at the plumbing line trail... where does the drain pipe go? Trace the drain from the tub to the exit, and examine the conditions surrounding it. It could be something like tree roots outside the home which are slowing the process.

If that's the case, you may be well-served to call RotoRooter.

Answer 4

You can clean your bathroom any way you want. As for the drain I had the same problem. Don't use the liquid drain cleaner, use the gel drain cleaner. I poured 1 quart and let set for 1 hour and flushed with hot water for about 10 minutes and then poured another quart and let set for about an hour and flushed. This did the trick. Another thing you can do is get a water saving shower head to put out less water. This way you save on water and it will be able to drain better.

Answer 5

In addition to the other comments, buy a 99 cent cheap plastic strainer for the shower drain. It will keep the hair out of the drain.

Also, is this bathroom on the first floor? Are there any other drains in your home that have the same problem? If so it's possible you have tree roots in your lines. If that is the case, definitely call a plumber.

Answer 6

When I have a slow drain like that.. I fill the tub only slightly with water.. open the drain opening of the tub and take a plunger and PLUNGE till my arms fall off. Short of using a snake, that is how I have so far been lucky in getting my drains clean.. THEN I buy some of that frothing drain cleaner.. it is that thick stuff and use it as directions indicate.

Answer 7

Try using Vinegar each time you take a shower. this is an acid and might help.. When I clean the bathroom I start with the tiles in the shower, and then the bathtub. Then I clean the bowl and then the sink and the mirror the last thing I do is the floor.

Answer 8

When my kitchen drain gets slow, I pour equal amounts 1/2 to a cup) of liquid bleach and powdered dishwasher detergent down the drain. Let set for 1/2 hour. Pour in several gallons of boiling water down the drain( can use the teakettle or heat pan of water on stove). Flush with hot water for several minutes. Repeat if necessary. Be careful not toget it on yourself. this really workg good on all sinks and even the toitlet.

Answer 9

You may have gunk built up around the drain pipes. I would use the plunger and really plunge. Maybe some soap or small articles got down into the pipe. If it still is slow you may need it snaked out by a plumber to get it draining again. Good luck.

Answer 10

Go outside and find your main pipe that runs to your sewer ,its a big fat pipe ,find cover that opens into it and use a garden hose full blast while pushing up into pipe toward house ,you can usually watch all the stuff that was clogging it drain past you ,Keep pushing that hose up in there ,you will hit snags but keep pushing till they break lose, once it all breaks loose fill everything in house ,sinks tubs etc then open all of thenm at the same time , If that works then send me some money :)

Answer 11

Unscrew the 1 or hopefully 2 screws in the overfow plate ( under the spout on side of tub ) Pull off plate and anything attached. Wet cotton t-shirt and stick in overflow pipe, be carefull not to disturb rubber washer if one present.stick t-shirt in tight. add 1 inch of water to tub. Place plunger over drain and plunge vigerously. If that doesn't work, go to home depot or lowes and buy small snake (in circular reel) stick in overflow and turn til water runs out. works best w/2 people