Most efficient way to unclog a tub?

Question

Alright, for some reason my tub (tub/shower) has slowly and now almost completely gotten clogged. At first it was a minor thing, but now, everytime I take a shower for at least 30 minutes, the tub fills with water and it takes awhile (and I mean a while) before the water completely drains. My first method (a few minutes ago) was to use a plunger, BUT all that did was bring up some.. well, let's just say nasty things back instead of unclogging it.

So, what's the most efficient (and possibly fastest and cheapest) way to unclog a tub? I really need this, so any helpful feedback will be highly appreciated.

So no to Drano and similar items (like Liquid Plumr)? Why is that? Aren't those items specifically built to deal with such problems?

Answer 1

If you're on a septic system you may just need to have it emptied.
Clogs can be so expensive. First if you're renting make your landlord do it. If you own first step would be to use some kind of chemical to remove clog, like Drano. Probably won't work, never has for me. Your clog might be something a little more serious the hair. Go to your local home improvement store and buy a "snake" if you don't know what it is they can help you. If running the snake doesn't work you're going to probably need to get an auger type of snake(it's motorized costs about $90 to rent), you would need to determine the location of the clog. When you ran the 1st snake if you encounter resistance you should be able to determine if the clog is inside the house. If no resistance the clog is probably outside. Find the flush valve located in your yard and snake that. As for saving money you can always return the 1st snake a little sneaky but cost effective. Also look up info on web there are sites that show step by step what to do.

Good luck.

Answer 2

had same problem recently. My dad was a plumber and when I asked my mom about it - she said he would remove the cover over the drain (screwdriver probably required) and pull out the "clog". Worked, too. It will probably be smelly and disgustingly gross (mine was), but haven't had a problem with drainage since. Drano and similar items are NOT good for the pipes and can be dangerous to the next plumber that has to work on them. Good luck...

Answer 3

There is this really cheap and fantastic tool called the Zip Strip it is a plastic "stick" barbs you push it into the drain and it pull out the hair and stuff. The first few times will be icky to say the least but if you do this once a month or so after the initial clean out it will keep your drain running beautifully.

Answer 4

There is this stuff that they sell at Home Depot. It comes in a black Half gallon container. It is in the plumbing section, with the other drain openers. This is the stuff that the plumbers themselves use. I let it stay in the drain overnight, and in the morning flushed it with lukewarm water for about a minute. The water immediately went down. You have to be careful with all of this stuff, the chemicals in them are very hazardous. Use latex gloves.

Answer 5

This should be simple - use the plunger first a few times - yes i know all the gunk will come up - this will loosen the clog remove the big clogs by hand and then use the crystal draino - liquid draino will do the trick too - have fun

Answer 6

Draino could be used yet once you utilize it too lots it incredibly is going to break your pipes and ought to reason a leak. My maximum suitable suggestion (having to handle this issue before) is to call a plumber...he will deliver a snake down your drain and it will vacuum up residue, hair, etc. Or, you could hire (or in all possibility purchase) a "snake" in case you think of you could have the skill to function it, if this could ensue lots and you will use it greater beneficial than as quickly as, or if it will fee much less. the main suitable thank you to maintain your tub from clogging lower back could be to get a cover for the drain if it incredibly is in basic terms a drain total (so hair etc. can shop from stepping into and getting caught), and to comb your hair before showering so much less hair sheds for the time of washing, and to throw away little bits of cleansing soap that gets caught/will fall into the drain. And %. up hair caught over it on the tip of each and every bathe. good success and have fuuuun!

Answer 7

use drano, it works, even on hair