8 Ways to UnClog a Tub Drain

Hair, grease and other debris will accumulate in your tub drain and eventually stop the water from flowing. If you haven’t experienced this yet, it’s only a matter of time. However, there are also a number of ways you can unclog the drain yourself.

1. Hot Water – Water that’s just short of boiling will often clear drains that aren’t fully clogged.
2. Remove the Stopper – The stopper on the tub drain should pull out or screw out easily. Remove it and clean the underside. Then use a bent coat hanger to pull up hair and other items clogging the drain.
3. Plunger – A plunger works best when you create a vacuum blocking off the tub overflow.
4. Vinegar – Combine 1/3 cup vinegar with 1/3 cup baking soda. It will immediately begin to fizz. Pour it down the drain as quickly as possible and leave it for 10 minutes, then flush with hot water.
5. Snake – Found at most hardware stores, this is a plumbers’ clog clearing tool of choice, & it could be a good investment if you have regular problems with the drains in your house. Simply feed the snake down the drain slowly, and pull it up with the clog.
6. Vacuum – Set your wet/dry vacuum and set it to liquids, remove the filter and cover the vacuum vent. Put the hose over the tub drain and turn on the vacuum.
7. Chemicals – If none of the above options solve your problem, you may try any number of chemical products on the market.
8. Finally – When all else fails… call a plumber.