What Causes a Tub to Drain Slowly? Typically the cause of a slow-draining bathtub is a clog that is restricting water flow. Clogs are usually made up of knotted hair, dirt, grease, and/or soap. They can be difficult to remove because hair can wrap around parts of the drain.

What causes a bathtub to not drain?

Common reasons why a bathtub won’t drain include soap scum, hair, bath bombs, cosmetic products, and damaged pipes. You can fix such plumbing problems using boiling water, baking soda and vinegar, a plunger, or a plumbing snake.

Why is my bathtub slowly draining?

Slow bathtub drains are often caused by an accumulation of hair, soap scum, and little bits of debris that get caught up in the first part of the drain assembly.

How do you fix a slow running bathtub drain?

To clear it, plug the overflow hole with a rag and fill the tub drain with hot water, which will help to soften and loosen soap scum. Then vigorously pressurize the drain line, use a plumber’s plunger.

Is it OK to plunge a bathtub?

You can easily unclog your bathtub drain with a standard cup-style plunger, but you have to seal the overflow drain first. Tubs essentially have two drains: There’s the familiar one at the bottom of the tub that you close to fill up the tub with water.

How do you unclog a bathtub with standing water?

What you will need to do

  1. Pour 1 cup of water down your drain.
  2. Put the half cup of baking soda down the drain.
  3. Mix in the vinegar with your second prepared cup of water.
  4. Pour in the vinegar/water mixture down the drain with the added baking soda – Things will begin to bubble/fizz, this is good, it means things are working!

Can Coca Cola unclog a drain?

Coke. Coke is a lesser-known fix you can find in your refrigerator. Pour a 2-liter bottle of cola — Pepsi, Coke, or generic brand substitutes — down the clogged drain. Coke is actually quite caustic and effective at clearing away buildup in your drains, but it’s far milder than commercial drain cleaners.

How do you get rid of a sluggish shower drain?

How to Fix a Slow-Draining Shower

  1. Pour boiling water down the drain. For smaller clogs, boiling water can break down the soap or residue that’s holding the clog together, allowing the blockage to clear.
  2. Baking soda and vinegar. …
  3. Snake the drain. …
  4. Store-bought chemical products. …
  5. Contact a plumber.


Can plunging make a clog worse?

Plungers are an effective way to clear a drain or unclog a toilet when used correctly. The key is to make sure a tight seal is formed around the drain and plunge slowly and methodically. Plunging too quickly or with too much force can prevent a tight seal from forming, making your efforts relatively ineffective.

What is the best product to unclog a bathtub?

Best Overall: Drano Max Gel Clog Remover



This brand is known for its effective and affordable drain cleaning products, and the Drano Max Gel is one of your best options when you need to unclog a shower drain. This gel comes in an 80-ounce bottle, and it’s safe to use on PVC, metal pipes, and even septic systems.

What home remedy can I use to unclog my bathtub?

Pour ½ cup of baking soda into the drain followed by ½ cup of vinegar. Let the mixture set in the drain for about 15 minutes, then rinse it away with several cups of boiling water. The baking soda and vinegar solution is a natural cleanser that can generally remove partial clogs.

How do you unclog a bathtub drain naturally?

Follow these easy steps to unclog your drain:

  1. Start by pouring a pot of boiling water down the drain.
  2. Next, pour a cup of baking soda and 1 cup water/1 cup vinegar solution.
  3. Cover with the drain plug and wait 5 to 10 minutes.
  4. Pour boiling water down the drain again.


Can I pour Drano in standing water?

As a rule, never pour Drano into an area with standing water. In the drain system, certain kinds of bacteria can be beneficial—good bacteria will gradually break down organic material. If you pour chemicals that kill bacteria down the drain, you’re ultimately hurting your drains.

What dissolves hair in shower drain?

Combining baking soda and vinegar is a natural way to dissolve hair clogs, without resorting to harsh chemicals. Pour a cup of baking soda down the clogged drain first, and then after a few minutes add a cup of vinegar.

Why is my shower drain backing up?

There is often the result of wastewater or raw sewage backing up into the household plumbing. If a blockage in the main sewer line is the cause of water backing up into the bathtub you should call a professional plumber to assess your issues.

Can I pour bleach down the drain?

Bleach is a powerful, toxic substance that should be used carefully and properly, and pouring it down a drain is not a proper use. Bleach can react with other substances in your pipes, potentially release fumes, and further plug up the system.

What is a hair snake?

The Hair Snake is the fast and easy way to clear clogged and slow running drains. This durable plastic tool is suitable for use in many residential drains. Plastic. For most household sink, shower and tub drains. Environmentally safe.

How much does it cost to snake a drain?

The average plumber cost to snake a drain is $100 to $275 for a toilet, sink, tub, shower, or laundry drain. The average cost to snake a main line is $150 to $500. Roto-Rooter prices are $225 to $500 on average to snake a drain.

Do plastic drain snakes work?

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