Fixing The Clogged Bathtub

A clogged bathtub may be a little higher on the difficulty scale than toilet or clogged kitchen drain. but most homeowners should be able to fix a clogged bathtub using basic repair tools and commercially available chemical drain openers. Before attempting any clogged bathtub repair, however, an amateur plumber may want chemicals and all of these tools on the premises. This could mean a trip to a local hardware store to buy a plunger or plumber’s helper, an adjustable pipe wrench and a chemical drain opener.

The first way to fix a clogged bathtub is to visually inspect the drain for evident blockages. Sometimes a small bar of soap or a child’s toy becomes compact in the bathtub drain and it becomes a simple matter of pulling the blockage out. The object may be stuck a few inches down the drain, Clumps of hair can also compile behind the plate covering the water controls, so it might help to remove that plate by manually cleaning out the opening.

If the clog hardly removed by hand, then another way to fix a clogged bathtub is to use plumber’s helper or a plunger. A plunger is a simple tool consisting of a rubber cup and a wooden handle. The cup should be placed squarely over the hole in order to get a good seal. The user should then press down on the cup with the stick until it is fully compressed over the drain. Sometimes this initial burst of pressure will expel the clog, but many times the plunger will need to be pulled up and pressed down repeatedly. After a few strong compressions, check for any signs of draining water.

If physical plunging does not fix a clogged bathtub, it may be time for more  rapacious chemical action. The instructions on most chemical drain openers to put on protective clothing,including rubber gloves and goggles. The drain opener may be poured into standing water,but manufacturers may recommend removing as much excess water as possible. Once the drain opener has been poured into the bathtub drain, After a specified amount of time has elapsed, the drain should be checked for any signs of restored water flow.

The last thing to fix a clogged bathtub is to either run a plumping snake through the drain system or remove effective drain pipe for a thorough inspection and cleaning. This kind of work is reserved for professional plumbers, but amateur handyman should be able to maneuver a flexible pipe snake through a drain without causing significant damage.in this try should fail to produce any results, however, the next step may be to call in a professional plumber, since the clog may be located far from the bathtub itself.