Bathtub Not Draining At All

Contact Mr Rooter Plumbing For Help Clearing Clogged Drains

While you should be able to unclog the bathtub yourself, you may not have the time, patience, or capability to do the job yourself. Fortunately, Mr. Rooter Plumbing is here to help. We offer quick, affordable drain clearing to get your tub flowing smoothly again.

To schedule services with one of our courteous plumbers, please contact Mr. Rooter Plumbing today!

This blog is made available by Mr. Rooter LLC, for educational purposes only to give the reader general information and a general understanding on the specific subject above. The blog should not be used as a substitute for a licensed plumbing professional in your state or region. Check with city and state laws before performing any household project.Categories:

How To Unclog A Bathtub Drain Using Baking Soda And Vinegar

Note: The main advantages of this method are that it is ecologically preferable and won’t cause damage to plastic pipes. It is not so effective on serious blockages, though, and you may still end up having to resort to chemicals. For other natural remedies, read about 5 Homemade Drain Cleaners for Clogged Drains.

Try using a plunger to dislodge the clog and clear the blockage.

Public domain image via Wikimedia Commons

Yes Its A Frozen Bathtub Drain

If youve ruled out the other possibilities and youre confident that you simply have a frozen bathtub drain, then there are some DIY solutions that can save you the cost of a plumber.

The caveat here is that these solutions will only work if the frozen mass isnt too far down the piping from the tub.

Drain and Overflow

Lets take a second and talk about the anatomy of your bathtub drain. At the bottom of the bathtub is the drain. Its covered by a drain cover. You might flip a switch to make it open and close, or you might step on it to create suction and then pull it up, in order to drain water.

On the side of the tub, underneath the spout is whats called the overflow pipe. This is what sucks out water from the tub when the waterline gets too high. The overflow pipe protects the bathwater from overflowing onto the floor.

P-Trap

The overflow pipe runs down the back of your bathtub and meets up with the drainpipe that is sucking water out from the bottom of your tub. The drainpipe runs about a foot before it loops around in the shape of a letter p.

The loop of the pipe is called a P-Trap. This loop can prevent sewer gases from entering your home. Its also a place where a pipe is likely to freeze or get clogged, since the loop of the P always contains water.

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Should I Plunge A Gurgling Toilet

Yes, you should plunge a gurgling toilet. Plunging is a relatively easy and straightforward process that helps to dislodge blockages in a toilet. If a toilet is gurgling and slow to drain, it is a good indication that it is clogged and needs to be plunged.

The most common is to place a plunger into the toilet bowl, making sure it is completely submerged. Once it is in place, vigorously press and pull the plunger in a steady and repetitive motion several times.

If done correctly, you should be able to feel the suction on the plunger as it dislodges the clog. After several plunges, you should test the toilet by flushing it and seeing if the water drains properly.

If it continues to gurgle, you may need to plunge it a few more times or try using a different type of plunger. If your efforts dont work, it is probably time to call a professional plumber.

Your Drains Have Hard Water Buildup

Some homes have a high level of minerals like calcium or magnesium in the water, which is often called hard water. Hard water can leave mineral deposits in the pipes, which can build up to create blockages. This also creates hard edges that debris like hair or soap scum will stick to, causing even worse clogging.

Over time, mineral deposits can eat away at the metal pipes and lead to severe damage. In this case, it will be impossible to unclog. You may need to have some of the pipes replaced altogether.

We recommend getting your waters pH levels tested to see if it has high amounts of minerals. If these levels are higher than average, it could be the reason why your bathtub wont drain. If the build-up is not too extreme, the pipes can be cleaned out. You can also install a water softener system that will filter out excess mineral deposits to prevent future build-up.

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What Does It Mean When Your Tub And Toilet Wont Drain

When your tub and toilet wont drain, it typically means there is a clog somewhere in the pipes. Including a buildup of hair, soap, grease, and other objects, or a damaged or misaligned pipe or plumbing fixture.

If you notice that the water in the tub or toilet is draining slowly or not at all, you should try to locate the clog and have it cleared as quickly as possible.

Before attempting to clear the clog yourself, it is important to turn off the main water supply in order to prevent any further damage to the pipes. It is also important to use proper safety equipment such as rubber gloves and eye protection to protect yourself from any hazardous materials that might be present.

Afterward, you can attempt to use a plunger to clear the clog. If this does not work, you might need a sewer snake or an auger to push through the clog more effectively. If all else fails, you will need to call a professional plumber to handle the job.

Slow Draining Bathtub Home Remedies

Baking Soda and Vinegar Drain Unplug Remedy

If neither of these fixes the problem, the most popular and enduring option is the combination of baking soda and white vinegar, often with a bit of table salt thrown into the mix. The individual chemicals of the soda and vinegar react, creating a powerful carbon dioxide gas that scours whatever it touches. The salt is thrown in for a bit of extra scraping power but isnt completely necessary.

Take one cup of baking soda, one cup of vinegar, and one of salt, if you want some extra power, and make sure theres no water in the tub. Dump the baking soda into the drain, followed by the salt, and finally the vinegar. If everything goes to plan, you should see a lot of froth satisfying, if nothing else. This signals that the mixture is scouring the inside of the pipe and hopefully eating away at the blockage. Give it around ten minutes, then flush it out with boiling water and test the tub to see if it drains.

Another popular option involves using the aforementioned baking soda and vinegar combo, but immediately afterward plugging up the tub and filling it with water. You can then release the water, which will flood down the pipe at once, and clear away any of the blockages that remain using sheer pressure.

Using a Plumbing Snake

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How Do You Unclog A Shower Drain

Step 1:

Unclogging a shower drain is similar to how you unclog bathtub drains. Start by removing and cleaning the stopper and strainer and remove as much drain-clogging gunk that you can using a drain stick or a snake.

Step 2:

Then, use Liquid-Plumr® Clog Destroyer Plus+ Pipeguard. When used as directed, this formula dissolves the toughest drain clogs, eliminates drain odors and helps prevent future clogs with regular use. This drain cleaner is safe to use to unclog bathtubs, show drains and other bathroom drains.

Step 3:

After you think the drain clog is gone, flush the drain with hot water to make sure its unclogged. Turn on the faucet to see if water drains quickly and easily. If there is still a drain clog, repeat the steps for removing it.

If the bathtub or shower clogs persists, it may be time to call in a professional plumber. For more information, check out our article How to Know When to Leave it to the Pros.

And, try pouring two cups of Liquid-Plumr® Clog Destroyer Plus+ Pipeguard down your drain monthly to prevent slow draining showers .

Causes Of Clogs In Bathtub Drains

Read Also: How To Clean Bathroom Sink Drains

Why Is My Bathtub Not Draining

There are several scenarios that can cause a bathtub to have a hard time draining. Take a bathtub and shower combo, for examplethese units have a built-in stopper in place to stop the flow of water out of the tub drain, but it can get stuck shut. This happens with regular use, as wear and buildup can prevent water from flowing down the drain. However, the majority of bathtub draining issues are due to clogs somewhere inside the drain pipe caused by hair, soap scum, corrosion, dirt and/or other debris.

Its important to deal with clogged drains as soon as you notice them, but first you need to know what to look for. Below are some of the most common causes of clogs that can plague residential bathtub drains in Coweta County, GA.

Hair

Seasoned plumbers agree that the most common cause of a clogged bathtub drain is hair. Whether long hair, short hair or pet fur, all types and length of hair will collect inside your shower drain over time, which makes sense since hair has nowhere to go but down the drain. Some hair will always make it through, even if you have a hair catcher in place over the drain. Hair sticks to the sides of pipes and prevents other materials from washing down completely.

Hard water

Soap scum

Dirt and other debris

A combination of stuff

Pulling Out Hair Clogs

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With Benjamin Franklin Plumbing by your side, you can rest assured that we will get the job done right the first time. Call us today to schedule an appointment at 259-7705!

Three Reasons Your Tub Or Shower Isnt Draining

Any plumbing problem should be looked at as soon as possible. Standing water can pose health hazards like attracting insects or growing mold, and a seemingly minor problem could be an indication of a serious leak or another issue.

With that in mind, here are the top three reasons showers and bathtubs dont drain properly:

• Theres a problem with the built-in stopper. If your bathtub or shower/tub combo has a built-in stopper, the stopper itself may be the problem. It can become worn and damaged over time, or there could be hair or other materials stuck in it. You can pull the stopper out and check it to see if its damaged or clogged.
• Theres a clog in the bathtub or shower drain. Hair and soap or shaving gel can combine and solidify in a drain, and objects like bottle caps, razor shields, or even small toys can be washed down the drain. Depending on the type of clog, it may be cleared out with plunging, a plumbing snake, or another method.
• Theres an issue farther down the line. If you have a drain thats clogging again and again, or if you cant unclog your drain with traditional methods, you might have a problem further down the line. A damaged, leaking, or broken pipe could be to blame. With these types of problems, youll need a professional plumber to perform a thorough inspection.

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Clog Prevention & Cleaning With Baking Soda

To avoid getting major clogs in the first place, use this method from Martha Stewart once a month:

Drains are one of the trickiest areas you have to clean in a bathroom. When you use baking soda, however, you have a safe and very effective way to deodorize drains. Pour about 1/2 cup baking soda down the drain and wait for it to bubble up. Let it sit for about 10 minutes before pouring very hot water down the drain. Read more...

Here Bob Vila disagrees: he recommends using boiling water if you have metal pipes, but not if you have PVC pipes.

S To Unclog A Tub Drain

Now, if you have worked on the stopper and the water is still not draining, it shows that you have a bigger drainage issue. The first order of business is to wait for the water to drain out slowly. However, if it is stagnant and not receding at all, you need a bucket to drain out the water. Yes, it is gross, but you must do it! There is no other way to deal with standing water.

Wear rubber gloves and begin scooping out water with a pail. Make sure to layout old shirts and towels on your bathroom floors. This will prevent any nasty accidents because you may drip water all over your floor. Best to be safe than sorry!

After scooping the water into the bucket, dump the contents inside your toilet. You may need to repeat this process until your tub is almost empty. When you can no longer get water into the bucket, you can stop this procedure. After this, you can now begin working on the clog.

When your drain is clogged, it means youve got a lot of debris in there. If it is a simple issue, then you can probably do it without a professional plumber. Attempting an easy fix can help save you money. Here are some ways to unclog your bathtub drain by yourself:

Step 1: if you havent, take out the drain stopper.

Step 2: Wear your gloves and take out any visible signs that block the drain. It could be hair, sediments, soap scum, etc. Usually, you can see this nasty stuff when you peek in there with a flashlight. It is normal for big hairballs to form underneath.

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How To Unclog Slow Draining Tub: Four Steps

Slow Draining can happen due to many things dirt, debris, & soap scum, which may lead up to blockages that can clog the drain. Clog Bathtub Drains can be a headache for homeowners so it is important to know how to unclog a slow draining tub.

Below, we have highlighted all the steps to unclog a bathtub drain to let the drains free to flush blocked water.

Step 1:

Find a standard screwdriver to take out the tub stopper. All the Bathtubs Drains dont have the same stoppers and strainers, so sometimes it’s good to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for removing the stoppers and strainers.

Unscrew the bathtub drain stopper counterclockwise if it is attached through a screw while lifting it up. If there is no screw then you can use your fingernail to lift the stopper. if you need to wrench the screws, then make sure none of them will drop or be lost.

If you are not able to lift the stopper or strainer of the bathtub then to avoid any damage or injury you can consult or call Fischer Plumbings professional plumbers to help you unclog the bathtub drain.

Step 2:

After lifting up the bathtub drain stopper or strainer, you will find the threaded rod which is the reason why the bathtub drain gets clogged. Its a straight rod screwed in the drain that you can simply remove using your fingers. Unscrew it counterclockwise and make sure you also put it aside safely along with the Stopper & Screw.

Step 3:

Step 4:

1. Boiling Water

2. Plunger

3. Baking Soda and Vinegar