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How to Unclog a Bathtub

Unclog BathtubWith all the soap, hair, shampoo, and debris that find their way down your bathtub drain, it isn’t surprising that it clogs every so often. When this happens, there are a few things you can try but if they don’t work, you may have no choice but to call a plumber to unclog your bathtub.

  1. Remove the stopper

  2. Many tubs have a built-in drain stopper that you can remove and check for any visible obstructions. You will often find hair and accumulated debris at the drain opening that can be identified right away as the problem.

  3. Remove any material around the stopper and strainer

  4. Clogged drainAfter you remove this debris and scrub the strainer, check the water flow. If necessary, probe the drain with a wire coat hanger to try to remove debris blocking the water from flowing freely. If you find the drain is still blocked, use a wire coat hanger that has been straightened leaving a tiny hook left on the end that will catch and remove debris as you use it to probe the drain.

  5. Pour boiling water down the drain

  6. Once you have removed all the debris, you can pour boiling water down the drain to clear out the remainder. If this doesn’t work, cover the overflow drain in preparation to plunge it. Above the main drain for your bathtub, you likely will find an overflow drain that functions to allow excess water to flow into pipes rather than onto the bathroom floor in the event that the tub’s water level rises too high. Cover the overflow hole tightly with duct tape.

  7. Plunge the drain

  8. Plunge DrainPress the plunger as tightly as possible over the drain and plunge quickly and firmly. This pressure and suction will hopefully break apart the clog. Only try this a few times. If you are unable to clear the drain, call a licensed plumber to make certain that you don’t damage your pipes or fixtures by plunging too much or with too much force.

FloHawks Can Help Unclog Your Bathtub

Still experiencing issues with a bathtub that won’t drain properly? The experienced team of professional plumbers at FloHawks are ready to jump in and save you the frustration of trying to unclog your bathtub yourself. Give us a call anytime at (800) 356-4295 or use our convenient Schedule Your Service tool which allows you to set an appointment that fits your schedule.

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