How to Unclog a Bathtub Drain
Between hair, soap scum, and the like, bathtub drains are no strangers to stubborn clogs. Sure, you can call a plumber every time your bathtub drain is clogged, or you can learn a few quick tricks that professional plumbers use in their own homes.
Read on to learn 3 easy ways you can unclog your bathtub drain on your own.
1. Drain Claw
A drain claw is a handy device when it comes to quickly and easily clearing a clog that has formed within your bathtub drain.
Materials
- Drain claw
- Screwdriver
- Tower or Paper Towels
How to Unclog a Bathtub Drain Using a Drain Claw
Directions
Step 1. Remove the strainer and use the screwdriver to remove the stopper. Some bathtubs may only have a stopper and no strainer.
Step 2. Use the towel or paper towels to remove any excess hair and soap scum that has accumulated around the strainer and the stopper.
Step 3. Insert the drain claw into the drain. When the drain claw is deep enough, it will hit the drain trap. Continue pushing the drain claw through the drain trap.
Step 4. Move the drain claw in a slow back-and-forth motion. The drain claw has small interlocking hooks, so it will be able to grab any hair or debris that is clogging the drain.
Step 5. Remove the drain claw and clean it. Test that the clog is cleared by running water.
Step 6. If the clog is cleared, replace the strainer and stopper.
2. Baking Soda and Vinegar
Two household items you likely already have and 30 minutes of your time is all you need to unclog that stubborn bathtub drain.
Materials
- 1 Cup of White Vinegar
- ¼ Cup of Baking soda
- Gloves
- Pot of Boiling Water
- Screwdriver
- Towel or Paper Towels
How to Unclog a Bathtub Drain Using Baking Soda and Vinegar
Directions
Step 1. Remove the strainer and use the screwdriver to remove the stopper. Some bathtubs may only have a stopper and no strainer.
Step 2. Use the towel or paper towels to remove any excess hair or soap scum that has accumulated around the strainer and the stopper.
Step 3. Boil a pot of water and carefully pour the water down the clogged bathtub drain.
Step 4. After pouring the boiling water down the bathtub drain, pour ¼ cup of baking soda and 1 cup of white vinegar into the drain. Let sit for 15 to 20 minutes.
Step 5. Boil another pot of water and, after you have let the baking soda-vinegar mixture sit, pour the boiling water down the bathtub drain. Test that the clog is clean by running the water.
Step 6. If the clog is cleared, replace the strainer and stopper.
3. Toilet Plunger
Yep, you read that right. The same handy device used to unclog your toilet can be used to remove stubborn clogs in your bathtub drain too.
Materials
- Screwdriver
- Toilet Plunger
- Towel or Paper Towels
How to Unclog a Bathtub Drain Using a Toilet Plunger
Directions
Step 1. Remove the strainer and use the screwdriver to remove the stopper. Some bathtubs may only have a stopper and no strainer.
Step 2. Use the towel or paper towel to remove any excess hair or soap scum that has accumulated around the strainer and the stopper.
Step 3. Fill the bathtub with a few inches of water, just enough to submerge the plunger so it can create suction.
Step 4. Use the plunger as you would in your toilet to suction out an obstruction in the drain and place the plunger bowl over the drain and plunge up and down quickly.
Step 5. After 10 to 15 plunges, check for any dirty water and/or debris coming up from the drain. If not, keep plunging.
Step 6. If you do not see any dirty water and/or debris after plunging, switch to another method.
Step 7. If the clog is cleared, replace the strainer and stopper.
