what is the best way to get rid of a clog in a bathtub?

Question

this clog was in the tub when i moved in to my apartment and i have tried everything, the maintenance guys won't come fix it even though it was already clogged when i got in the apartment. i have used liquid plummer and all kinds of stuff from walmart and i don't want to have to call roto rooter if i dont have to, is there anything stronger that i can get from somewhere that won't be at walmart. thanks

Answer 1

TAKE THE TRIP LEVER OFF WHICH IS THE COVER ON THE HOLE UNDER NEATH THE FOSET AND PLUNGE IT REAL GOOD AND TAKE SOMETHING AND PULL THE HAIR OUT IT SHOULD WORK... MY HUSBAND IS A MAINTENANCE MAN HE JUST TOLD ME THIS ALLWAYS WORKS UNLES THERE ARE DEEP ISSUES WHERE THEY HAVE TO RENT A SNAKE TO UNCLOG IT... GOOD LUCK

Answer 2

This works cause I was too cheap for liquid plumber or a plunger....boil some water on the stove in the biggest pots you can handle (2 qt, 3 qt) A couple of them. Get most of the water out of the tub. As much as possible. Get it at a rolling boil. Then go to the tub and pour it into the drain from a height(2ft-3ft) in the air to have the hot water hammer it way down the drain. What the hot water is doing is melting the soap/hair clog in the trap. If the first pot doesn't do it Just pour in the second, and third on top of the second. And wait. It will blow open. Once it does, run hot water out of the tap at full bore for a couple of minutes to flush the pipes.

Answer 3

It is probably hair. First you should have a plate with 2 screws holding it on the tub where the lever is to close and open the drain. If you remove those two screws, the plate and the plunger will lift out, and that allows more water to go down drain, and sometimes this will work. (before removing the 2 screws place a rag or something over the drain in case you drop them) If it is still blocked with the assembly removed you can use a piece of clothes hanger, place a small rook on one end than fish it down the drain where the assembly came out . Lower the clothes hange down till it stops turn it around a couple times and then remove, if hair is the problem this should help, repeat till there is no more hair. If there is no hair there your problem could be down the drain further. You will probably have to call a plumber to snake the line. Hope this helps you out let me know. Bill

Answer 4

You stay on those maintenance bastards. I used to live in an apartment and they were always giving me these flimsy excuses about being backed up and I'd come home and just see them smoking around the main office when they were supposedly busy. That's their job and if you pay money to live there, they are obligated to do it. Also, do you live around a bunch of trees? Is the apartment old (like 40 years +)? Sometimes tree roots get in the pipes (especially willows) and cause a block that drain cleaner ain't gonna fix. Of course, a plumber would have to diagnose that. If you chat with any neighbors, I'd see if they were having the same problem.

Answer 5

boiling water . and a good bit of it . as well if the drain for the sink in the bathroom works fine then the clog is not far down the drain so you might even be able to break it up with something as simple as a wire coat hanger straightened out and pushed around down there.
there are very Strong acids that you could use but i wont say to use them as they can of coarse be dangerous. i will say one is
used in pools and that is all . be very very careful with them
i am sure you have tried a plunger . if the coat hanger wont work and the sink is draining well then this thing called a snake could work you get them at hardware stores tell them what your using it for and they will hook you up with the right size one for you
if the sink drain is not working well and the bath tub one then
if the snake wont work you have to have it all fixed by a plumber
if none of your drains really work well then the main line is stuck and that is far beyond you and the cost of a plumber you might hire . so at that point contact the health department .

Answer 6

at Wally World - product called Main Line Cleaner 1 gallon = $10 will be on the bottom shelf in the plumbing section have used it in three different houses - sinks to bath tubs - and even a drain spout outside with leaves never failed for the bath tub - before you go to bed pour half gallon in - cover with plate - leave 8-12 hrs then take the plate up - get hot water running and flush for 5 minutes ( I use a gallon jug and pour the water out into the sink or toilet until the real hot water is there -) if it is still sluggish - next night - do it again with remaining liquid- and it should be cleared by then all the best

Answer 7

Did you try baking soda and vinegar? Get 2 or 3 boxes of baking soda and a half gallon of white vinegar. Pour the boxes down the drain, then start pouring the vinegar. It'll foam up and may help.

If someone dropped a solid object down there then nothing will work. You can rent a 'snake' if you call up a rental place, some of them have them, or try a plumbing supply house.

You can also get a wire hanger, and make a small hook on the end. See if you can fish it out. Maybe some kid put their barbie doll in there.

Answer 8

You should call your landlord. You should tell him that you want to deduct the cost of the plumber from your rent. That should get someone out there fast. You can also try pouring baking soda into the drain followed buy vinegar. Once it has stopped bubbling add some bleach. Let that set for a while. It's not any stronger than the chemicals you've used but it does work very well. I hope this helps.

Answer 9

I'm in total agreement with the Pig. We bought an auger at the hardware store and it works great. However, you don't know where the clog is, so it might not work in your situation.
Since rent is due in a couple of days, make sure that management knows that you've got a big problem! Put a note with the check, tell them, have them write it down.... whatever is necessary. And get someone out there to fix it! You shouldn't have to take care of this yourself.

Answer 10

Is there a drain cover or is it just a flat piece with holes in it? If it is a flat piece with holes, chemicals are your only chance. If it has a stopper, pull the stopper up and see if there is anything obvious blocking it. Sometimes you have to unscrew the stopper and other times you can just pull it up and off. You may have to tilt it then pull up. There is usually a plastic piece which is meant to stop hair, etc from going down the drain and actually clogging the pipes. See if there is any nastiness there you can unclog.

Answer 11

you can purchase a chemical called clobber. i warn you this is a powerful chemical. you can purchase it at any plumbing supply house like fergusons,hughes..ect. if u r unable to get this chemical u can purchase a small hand snake from home depot or lowes and run it down the clean out of the tub which is located under the spout. most likely the clog is hair that is stuck inside the master trap of the tub... if all else fails call a plumber.. good luck