How to Unclog Bathtub Drains

March 15 2016

Bathtub

Have you been using chemicals for your clogged bathtub drains? Are you aware that these chemicals can have substantial impact not only on your plumbing system but also your health? Did you know that there is a quicker and easier way of unclogging bathtub drains simply by removing the stopper and fishing out all the gunk and hair that causes the clogging? Let us look at how to do this with common drain types.

Drop Water Stopper

Drop Stopper

This drain type features a prominent knob that will allow you to open the drain by lifting and turning the knob. Usually when you call a plumber, you would need to shell out about a hundred bucks, but, did you know that most of the time slow drains can be fixed in as fast as five minutes?

How do you do it? First, take a screwdriver and have a bent coat hanger or stiff wire ready. About 80 percent of the time, the cause of the blockage is human hair or soap scum that gets collected and blocks the drain. This type of blockage normally resides just a few inches below the stopper. Once you remove the stopper you can fish out the hair and other types of dirt causing the blockage.

Use the bent coat hanger or stiff wire with a bent end to remove the blockage. For hair wrapped at the crossbars you can simply cut it using a sharp utility knife and pull it out of the drain. Since the drop stopper is secured with a set of screws just under the cap, make sure that you put them all back once you have removed all the blockage and smooth water flow has been restored.

Push/Lock Water Stopper

Push/Lock Stopper

To open this type of drain stopper, you simply need to push down on it to release it. These types of drain stoppers seal when they are pressed down and released when pushed down for a second time; hence its name.

Although it may sound simple enough, in most instances you would need to hold the stem while the cap is being unscrewed. Once you have removed the cap you can already see any hair and gunk caught on the cross bars. You can also unscrew the entire shaft if you need to reach further down the drain. Make sure that you create a good seal on the drain by adjusting the tension of the screws of the stopper.

Leverage Water Stopper

Levered stoppers

As part of the overflow plate, to remove this type of drain stopper, you would need to remove the screen first. This is done by unscrewing the overflow plate and pulling out the linkage. This type of drain stopper is usually found on older tubs. The overflow tube can be found inside the drain.

The design features a screen on the drain, which usually helps to keep the hair out of the drain. Unfortunately, there will still be some that can get through and accumulate on the crossbars causing blockage. When the blockage is just on the crossbars, you can easily remove it once the screen has been unscrewed. When there is an internal stopper, you would have to unscrew the overflow plate before you can pull out the linkage and the stopper. You should clean the linkage and the stopper under running water to make sure that the smooth water flow is restored. Do not discount the possibility that the linkage may need some adjustment or the stopper may not be opening as far as it should from the seat to ensure smooth water flow. In this case, you would need to adjust it before you reinsert it. Make sure that you test it by running water into the tub. If you observe that it leaks out, you have to lengthen the linkage to get a better seal on the drain. When the water does not flow out of the drain, then you need to shorten the linkage. These are simple and chemical-free solutions that will allow you to successfully unclog your bathtub drains.

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