Clogged bathtubs can be a frustrating shower experience. You can spend considerable time trying to get a clear view of what’s going on underneath, and keep watching as more debris builds up over time.
As you can imagine, this is quite a drain-type experience! Once the tub is full, it needs to stay that way to prevent further damage or flow.
There are certain ways to try purging the tub of debris without visiting a bathtub store or renting a spa. Both of these are fee-based services that you do yourself.
This article will go into more detail about how to do it for cheap and easily accessible resources.
Contents:
Using a paper towel tube
Another way to clear a clogged bathtub drain is to use a paper towel tube. These can be purchased at any grocery store, and they look like large washcloths that you place in the bottom of the paper towel tube.
This trick was recommended to me by a plumbing technician, so check into other countries for this one!
Place a small amount of soap gel or soap on the end of the paper towel and then wrap the paper towel around your bathtub pipe. When you unfurl the roll of paper, it will push up and out the end of the pipe, allowing water to escape.
This trick works for tubs with round or square pipes as well as ones with straight pipes.
Putting a potato down the drain
Another tried and true solution is putting a potato down the drain. By doing this, you eliminate the need to use a tub bathtub filter, which is cost heavy.
Potatoes are naturally dry goods, so this doctor recommends testing your potato first to make sure it works. Then, you can store several in a bag to save money.
To use, simply cut down on how long you leave the potato sitting in the tub and sprinkle away. You also can use small amounts of potato per week or not every day, it all depends on your needs.
This remedy is not for those who are lazy or who do not want to fix the problem themselves. This is for those who have a bathtub that gets clogged regularly because of lack of attention or neglect.
Using baking soda and vinegar
Both baking soda and vinegar can be used to clean your bathtub. Both agents are very powerful. You would not do this often, but it is important to know about when attempting a bathroom remodel or modernize the tub.
Baking soda is one of the common ingredients in most household cleaners. It neutralizes many substances, so it can be used as a co-odorant with water as it dissolves.
As for the vinegar, when combined with the baking soda, it can create a foamy bathtub solution that removes any stuck upon items.
Using salt and vinegar
Neither of these suggestions are actual bathtub remedies, but they can help a little bit!
Salt helps remove any hardened substances that may be blocking the drains. This is particularly helpful when attempting to flush out a tub field due to excess water use.
Flushable soap is also useful in helping remove any foreign objects that may be blocking the drain. Sometimes this can be difficult to tell whether something is such a object or not, so using both would not hurt!
Using salt and vinegar together is another home remedy. Salt assists in drawing out water and removing stains that may be trapped in it. Because of this, many people recommend running a large tub with only one flush needed- the two combined will help remove some of these pieces.
Draining the tub before taking a shower
Before any other steps are taken, it is important to clear the bathtub of debris and water flow. This can be done byoving a bathtub drain before flushing it with water or by removing the tub and adding a fresh drain after removing the bathtub bottom.
As mentioned earlier, this process can be difficult and time consuming. Because the drain is lined with plastic, it must be cut into pieces before it is laid out in the tub.
To remove the tub bottom, you will need torch-type heat tools called augers. Once these are in place, you can start to pour cold water into the tub to begin draining. This takes about an hour or so of practice and patience to do successfully.
Cleaning the drain with a wire brush
Clogged bathtubs are a frequent cause of flooding in your home. When this happens, it can be difficult to determine the source of the water and how to fix it.
To prevent bathtub flooding, you must clean your bathtub regularly. The best way to do this is with a wire brush. Simply walk around the tub allowing it to dry fully before attempting to clean it.
Another handy tool you can use to clean your bathtub is a household liquid detergent dispenser. These work well because you can still control how strong the rinse is without using a powerful one. You can also use these to freshen up the kitchen sink!
When cleaning your bathtub, remember that liquid soap will break down deposits in your drain, but too much will create overflow problems. Soaked for at least half an hour before starting any cleanup process is the best advice.
Using oil to lubricate the drain hole
Instead of running water to the tub, your home comfort can be enhanced by using a oil to lubricate the drain hole.
This will help create a more efficient way to remove wastewater from the home. Using a oil will also help prevent debris from entering the drain hole, making it last longer.
To use this, you will need a small container such as an oil, paint, or floor buffer. You will then place this in your tub around the drain plug. You can then remove the plug and let water flow through it to remove any obstructions.
By no means should you do this every time you shower or bath, just when there is a clog.
Flushing boiling water down the drain
As the only way to clear a clogged bathtub drain for a few minutes is to flush boiling water down the drain. This is not an easy task or one that should be attempted without proper training.
However, if you have experience flushing baths or other large tubs, this may be easier to do on a more regular basis. Flushing your bath every few months gives your pipes time to shift and settles things down.
The first step in attempting this tip is to use a large enough bathtub. You want a bathtub that can hold at least one gallon of water without too much trouble, but some tubs are easier than others.
Then, you need proper training and tools for the job.