Q&A for How to Unclog a Bathtub Drain

Get a metal clothes hanger and unravel it. Stick the hook end down into the drain and move it around or twist it to grab any hair. Then, pull that up and remove the hair by hand.

If you can't get the hair out, pour baking soda and vinegar down the drain. Let it fizz up and sit for 20 minutes and then pour hot water down the drain. That will typically do the trick and clear out any blockages.

It is usually a buildup of hair and soap.

The farthest the cat litter will gather is at the trap. Remove the drain cover and get a powerful Shop Vac to suck out the litter.

You can use a variety of cleaners, just never use an abrasive scrub pad. If you want to be eco-friendly, try using Simple Green. The fixtures usually get soap built up, and this will clean off with a good amount of hard scrubbing.

This is okay, just keep plunging and checking to see if the water is draining. The clog will usually occur in the trap where water accumulates. The water will get dirty from the buildup of soap and hair.

Bleach will desolve anything that is organic, such as hair or poop. However, it will not dissolve non organic things, such as a child's toy or small plastic caps. Most home drains are constructed of plastic PVC which can be exposed to bleach safely. The trick is to get bleach to the clogged area. Be sure to use gloves, and open a window so that the fumes do not harm you.

The bubbles indicate that the problem is likely due to a plumbing problem further downstream in the pipes, likely between the house and sewage (rather than within the house). This may need a professional consultation.

Wipe it with a mixture of baking soda and vinegar, or diluted bleach.

Bleach can be used to pour down your drains when you notice slow draining. A whole bottle of bleach is much cheaper than Liquid Plumber.

Remember the middle school volcano science experiment with baking soda and vinegar? The combination of the 2 chemicals makes a little volcano in the pipes and is supposed to force out the clog.

The strainer may be two pieces. The center strainer is held in by spring clips, so you have to put a hook through the mesh and pull to pop it out.

Then you can't use your bathtub.

If these methods don't work, then try calling a plumber or using a plunger. If all else fails, you could try waiting until it dries and then vacuuming it out.

By replacing the pipes. It isn't easy to find a chemical that will both dissolve the paint, but not ruin your pipes.

No.

Probably not as it contains sugar as well as acid. The acid might work, but the sugar would counteract the positive benefits of the acid.

No, as this presents a serious combustion hazard due to the fumes produced. Additionally, if you decide that you still have a clog, you are extremely limited as to what options you have in terms of resolving the clog due to the risk of igniting your gasoline. (This is to say nothing of how this might react in your pipes.)

Usually, the part that you push/pull will just unscrew out.

You have a look inside the drain pipe. Use a light to shine down on it. Next, get a hook and wiggle it around. Pulling it out should bring up hair, soap, etc.

You might try covering it with masking tape, first aid tape, or any kind of tape that's not permeable and has an adhesive on the back.

Try using a plunger. If that doesn't help, use something to bail out as much water as possible from the tub (like a bucket), or use a shop vac.

You should call a professional plumber, as the issue must be too big to handle on your own.

Used a plumbing snake. If that doesn't work, you might have call a plumber because it might be a pipe problem.

Turn the center piece that sticks up to the left or counter clockwise until it comes off and there should be a screw you can unscrew and get the rest of it out. If that doesn’t work, while in the up position, there is a set screw on the underside of the stopper on the side you can unscrew to get the top part off. You should then be able to take the rest out.

Both of these pipes use a common drain pipe, so suspect that there is the source of your water problem. Your question is typical of a main line blockage, so that is what needs to be treated.

This is not a good thing to do. Avoid mixing many chemicals together (even if they are household cooking or baking products), as this could be dangerous. Stick to using one product or call the plumber.