CLOGGED TUB DRAIN STANDING WATER

A clogged tub drain standing water creates trouble in the home. If the water is always reaching your feet or even higher every time you take a shower, then you most likely have a clogged bathtub drain problem. It is a bigger problem to fix but not impossible. Mostly the hairs in the strainer are clogging the bathtub. It is important to fix this issue as soon as possible because standing water can create more problems for your home and bathroom.

HAZARDOUS STANDING WATER

Standing water creates a spawning pool for mosquitoes which can be a nuisance to you if allowed to reach its adult form with the continuous breed. Standing water causes mold and mildew to form which is a breathing hazard for anyone in the home.

WAYS TO UNCLOG CLOGGED TUB DRAIN STANDING WATER

A clogged bathtub drain can be removed in several ways such as by using a Plunger or by cleaning the strainer or stopper and other methods. If after trying these all the tub is still clogged, then use a Snake to remove the drain.

Method 1

•Cleaning the Stopper

If the water is draining slowly, then remove the strainer or stopper and clean out any junk.

Method 2

•Baking soda and vinegar

Baking soda has a cleaning power. It gently wears away strains. When mixing with vinegar, it creates a carbonic acid, a weak acid that boosts the corrosive action of vinegar. As a weak alkali, baking soda neutralizes acids in odor molecules to eliminate the potent smell. Therefore,
try baking soda. First, remove the stopper and pour boiling water into the drain with baking soda and vinegar. Wait about 15 – 20 minutes and then flush with hot water.

Method 3

•Using the Plunger

Mostly bathtub clogs are caused by unwanted hairs, soap scum or other bathroom products. These are easily visible and therefore can easily be cleared with your fingers.

If after removing hairs and other visible products there is still a problem then use a Toilet Plunger to remove the blockage. A plunger is a tool which is used to remove blockages in drains and pipes.

How to use the Plunger

Following are the steps of using a plunger to unclog the bathtub.

Fill the bath tub with few inches of water.

Start plunging your bath tub’s drain. You have to use some force here. After about ten plunges, check if the dirty water and gunk are coming out of the drain.

If the pipe looks cleared, then run some hot water to clear any residue remaining.

If no positive results found, then you should use a different method.

Method 4

•Snaking a Tub drain

If you have tried everything but the problem is still not resolved, then a Plumbing Snake is the last resort. Plumber’s Snake is a flexible auger which can be used for cleaning sink and bathtub drains.

STEPS TO SNAKE A TUB DRAIN

Feed the snake down through the overflow plate opening and turn the handle on the drum that contains the coiled up snake.

Keep pushing more of the snake into the drain until you feel some resistance.

Continue turning the handle until you feel the clog starts to break up.

The snake will either break the clog, or your turning will hook the end of snake onto the clog, and you can pull it out.

Try running water down the drain while moving the snake in the drain. If the clog is clear, the drain will run free. However, if the clog is not cleared, you may have to repeat the process to clear the drain.

HOW TO AVOID A CLOGGED BATH-TUB DRAIN

It is better to prevent the clog from happening in the first place. Instead of spending time and effort when the things get backed up, put effort on a monthly basis.

Keep your Bathtub drains free flowing by following the tips below:

Pour boiling water on a monthly basis.

Pour half cup of baking soda into the drain and then add a half cup of vinegar. After few minutes rinse it with a hot cup of vinegar. It will not only clean the drain but clean smelling as well.

Don’t drop pieces of soap by assuming that they will dissolve. It is how soap builds up in the drain.

For slow drains in old houses, pour a bottle of bleach down the tub drain once a month in the evening. In the morning, heat up a tea kettle and pour one gallon of water down the clogged drain.

The last option is to call the plumber if the situation is getting worse.