What is something I can attempt on my own to unclog a bathtub drain?

Question

The drain plug won't come out all the way. I don't think it's designed to come out. But something is definitely clogging it. And I'd rather not have to hire a plumber if it's something I can accomplish on my own.

Answer 1

use a screwdriver to pull up the drain.  there is probably a lot of hair clogging the drain pull it out

Answer 2

this is the easiest and it's free, bring your garden hose in through the window , put the gun on fine jet, get some one to turn on the hose, and hey presto the force will blow all the rubbish out of the trap.

Answer 3

take the overflow cover off  wet a rag stick the rag in the top hole tight.  take a bathroom plunger and plung the bottom hole. it may take a few tries and dont be surprised at what horrible smelling looking stuff comes out

Answer 4

most of the time a plunger will not work with a tub drain because the hair is almost always the problem and it gets caught on the parts of the drain. first go to the hardware store and get a hand operated pipe snake .next take out the two screws on the trip lever plate located under the tub spout remove the plate if it has a trip lever on it pull it up and out and it should bring the stopper mechanism with it if there is no lever just take the plate off. now slide the tip of the snake down into the hole;e and slide it in until it stops now tighten the thumb s***w with about 8 inches of the snake exposed turn the drum on the snake clockwise and at the same time push the snake into the pipe when it gets near the tub wall stop pull 8 more out of the barrel lock the s***w and repeat it usually takes only 4or 5 feet two clear the clog when you pull out the cable you'll find a large clump of hair on the end

by the way the snake will probably cost about 20 bucks or so good luck

Answer 5

Hi Thomas,

If you have a decent shop vac try putting on a foam filter and sucking the pipe out.  Beware, cleaning out the vac is not fun.  :)

Answer 6

The best way to unblock a drain is with a plunger.  You can pick one up very cheaply in any hardware store.

If you have an overflow outlet in the bath, cover this with a damp cloth while plunging, otherwise air can get in and out here and the blockage won't be moved.

Just keep working the plunger up and down until the drain runs freely.

Answer 7

Trust me I am a plumber! NO JOKE.....this is serious........

The best method for unblocking a bath drain.... Believe me I've tried 'em all but this one worked on my own bath & my wife did it unwittingly. How embarrasing I'm the plumber & she sorted it. I've taken off the trap & manually cleaned it.....tried plungers.....suction you name it I've tried it & none of them gave a lasting cure....UNTIL NOW.......& it's cheap....& no skill required.....you might even like doing it........

Right get some hair removal cream........The kind that ladies use on their legs & bikini line etc. My missus used Veet hair removal. Anyway it's a cream that gets applied to the skin left for 6 mins or so the just wash off in the bath or shower. Believe it or not this **** actually cleared the drains. What have you got to lose......Apart from some hair. lol. Anyway if you don't want to go down the removing hair route just mix an amount in the bath water preferably hot leave for a couple of mins then just let the water go. Trust me it works. I leave the plunger @ home now. It's far less effort to put ladies hair removal cream in the pipework!