Water Not Draining From Tub

What Will Dissolve Hair In Drain

The most common way to dissolve hair in drains is to use a mixture of hot water, baking soda, and vinegar. To prepare the mixture, start by bringing a pot of water to a boil on the stove. Once the water is boiling, add in ¼ cup of baking soda and ½ cup of vinegar.

Carefully pour the mixture down the drain and let it sit for 20-30 minutes to break down the hair. After the mixture has been given time to break down the hair, rinse out the drain with hot water to flush out the debris and particles.

If the problem persists, you can repeat this process as often as necessary.

Additionally, chemical drain cleaners can be used to dissolve hair in drains however, these types of cleaners are not safe for the environment or pipes, so it is best to use them as a last resort.

Bathtub Won’t Drain Heres What To Do Next

Serge Karnegie | 2018-06-28 13:14:24 -0400

Imagine youve just had a refreshing soak in your bathtub with calming mood music, aromatherapy candles, bath salts, and a glass of red wine. Unfortunately, when you finish and pull the plug, the bathtub wont drain. What a bummer! Having blocked drains is not only annoying, its also kinda disgusting.

So, what do you do when a bathtub wont drain? If you dont want to get down and dirty, you could call a professional plumber. However, if you lack the cash to pay plumber fees, you will have to roll up your sleeves and try a DIY fix for your clogged tub.

In this article, well explore common reasons why a bathtub wont drain, what you can do about them, and how to prevent such a problem from happening again.

How To Prevent A Bathtub From Slow

Prevention is almost always better than cure, of course. So once your drainage problems are resolved, don’t forget to minimize the possibility of your bathtub drain getting clogged again. Below are two things to try.

• Firstly, you should certainly think about buying a good drain protector, if you don’t already have one. This will prevent hair, children’s toys, plus other small items and debris from entering the drain.
• Secondly, a secure soap dish can often help, as soap contributes to clogs forming by binding knots of hair together into larger clumps.

Don’t Miss: How To Unclog Basement Drain

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.

Clear The Drain Catch

Before reaching for any major equipment or turning into a home chemist, take a minute to clean out the drain and catch. Hair and soap scum can build up right at the opening of the drain, impeding water flow. Wipe out the top of the catch, then pull it off and clean the pipe just underneath the drain. You may need a screwdriver to release the catch and get to the pipe underneath. If clearing obvious debris lets water flow freely, youre done!

Read Also: Lg Portable Air Conditioner Drain Plug Replacement

Will Drano Help Gurgling Toilet

It is possible that Drano may help gurgling toilet. If a gurgling toilet is the result of a clogged drain, the Dranos active ingredient, sodium hydroxide, may help breakdown the clog, allowing water and waste to flow more freely.

Alternatively, if the gurgling is caused by an airlock, the Drano may help improve the flow. It is important to ensure that no other clogs exist further down the waste pipes, so it is best to call a plumber if the gurgling persists.

Also, it is important to take appropriate safety precautions when using Drano, as it is a caustic material that may cause burns or irritation. It is also recommended to use gloves and goggles when using, and to make sure it is correctly applied and that appropriate ventilation is used.

Commercial Chemical Clog Removers

The next option you can try when unclogging a slow draining bathtub is using a chemical clog remover. These commercial removers are designed to unblock drains using caustic chemicals such as sodium hydroxide to burn through the clogs. Be very careful using commercial chemicals as they are all dangerous if ingested or if they make contact with sensitive skin or eyes. Keep these chemicals away from children and pets.

WARNING: Do not combine multiple clog-removing chemicals, as some chemicals may create toxic reactions when combined. These chemicals are harmful to the environment and many may be harmful to your plumbing system when used often. We advise calling a plumber over use of chemical clog removers.

Read Also: Slow Draining Bathroom Sink Not Clogged

Drain Hose Is Obstructed

An obstructed drain hose is one of the most common reasons a Maytag washer wont drain. Both kinks and blockages can obstruct the hose, preventing proper draining. A kinked hose can be gently straightened to restore function. However, if your washing machine is leaking, the kink may have damaged the hose, necessitating replacement.

Blockages are typically caused by a buildup of debris or a trapped article of clothing. If the blockage isnt visible when draining the outer drain hose, youll need to assess the inner portion of the hose.

Follow these steps to unclog the inner drain hose:

• Remove the washers front panel by unscrewing the two mounting screws. Pull the panel edges out before unhooking the top.
• Spread a towel under the drain hose before unclamping it from the drain pump.
• After water is drained, inspect the hose for blockages and remove them with pliers.
• If no blockages are visible, unclamp the hose from the tub end to check for and remove obstructions.
• Reconnect the inner hose to the pump and tub.
• Replace the washers front panel.
• Reconnect the outer hose to the drain, making sure the end of the hose is 30-96 above the floor for proper draining.
• Restore water and power connections before repositioning the washer.

How To Remove A Trip Lever Bathtub Stopper

Fixing a bathtub that wont hold water is a really easy task. You just need to remove and check the condition of the whole trip-lever assembly and fix it accordingly. The only tool needed is a Philips screwdriver.

Proceed as follows:

• Cover the bathtub drain to prevent any piece from falling down the drain.
• Use the screwdriver to remove the 2 screws on the trip-levers cover plate.
• To properly remove the whole assembly, pull it towards yourself and then straight upwards. If this piece has not been changed for a long time, pull it out might be a little hard. Grab the lever with a pliers and pull it out, starting off gently.
• Check the condition of the 2 rods. Are they entangled? Is the plunger covered in mineral deposits, hair, dirt or even soap scum?
• Clean the whole assembly in the bathroom sink to remove any debris from it.
• You will notice that the top rod is threaded to a lock nut. Trip-levers are usually designed that way to fit bathtubs of different sizes. Loosen the lock nut to increase the length of the rod.
• Now put back the whole assembly back inside the overflow drain being careful not to entangle the 2 rods.
• Screw in the cover plat in place.
• Flip the trip-lever upwards so that the bathtub drain is plugged off.
• Turn on the water for about 1 minute.
• Turn off the water.
• Keenly observe if the bathtub is holding the water.

This repair will most of the time fix a bathtub that isnt holding water. The good thing is that it is so easy and you wont need to pay a plumber.

Don’t Miss: Tool To Get Something Out Of Drain

Grab A Plumbing Snake

A plumbing snake or auger is designed to reach down deep into your drain and pull out any clogs. You can buy or hire an auger in a hardware store near you.

Remove the drain stopper using pliers or a screwdriver, then insert the cable slowly into the drain. Push the drain snake in as far as you can until you feel some resistance.

Twist it to grab the clog and then pull it out. Repeat the process several times until all the gunk has been cleared. Finally, run water in the tub and check if the problem has been resolved.

Common Clog #: Sand Dirt And Debris

If youve traveled to the beach recently or have kids that regularly play outside, sand and dirt can quickly accumulate in your drain. This is especially true if your shower does not have particularly strong water flow.

Consider rinsing off outsideat a hose or a beach showerto remove some of the sand and dirt before coming in to shower.

Don’t Miss: How To Unclog Shower Drain With Baking Soda And Vinegar

Can I Unclog The Bathtub Drain Myself

Some do-it-yourself solutions may offer temporary results for a clogged bathtub drain.

First, you can try to use a sink plunger over the drain to unclog it. This creates a vacuum of air that can dislodge whatever is clogging the pipe, such as a wad of hair. You can also try your hand at using a drain snake, which is a long piece of silicone or wire cable that you weave down into the pipe. As you pull the drain snake back up, it will attach to items and unclog the drain.

Both of these items are found in most home improvement stores and are relatively easy to use.

Another at-home trick to try when your bathtub wont drain is to pour boiling water. This will help to melt soap scum and hair build-up to unclog the drain. But this tactic will only work if the boiling water can be poured directly into the drain opening.

You can also try a baking soda and vinegar mixture to clean out clogged bathtub drains. First, pour boiling water down the pipe. Then pour in about half a cup of baking soda followed by a cup of white vinegar into the drain. When baking soda and vinegar are mixed, they create a chemical reaction that foams up. This creates pressure within the pipes, which can push the clog further down so it does not block the drain.

Use A Descaler Or Water Softener

Descalers are great at preventing clogs from hard-water deposits. They combat the high levels of calcium and magnesium in your water supply by preventing them from sticking to pipes, fixtures, and drains. Descalers will increase the efficiency of all your plumbing system parts, including:

• Washing machines

Another solution is a water softener. Though more expensive to purchase, install, and maintain then a descaler, a water softener removes hard water by adding salt to the water, changing its composition. A descaler should also be installed to descale the pipes before using this system. If you choose a larger water-softening system, it can help other drains in your home as well and even make doing laundry easier. You should have a professional install the device for you.

If none of the above solutions worked for you or youre looking to install a descaler or water softener, its time to call a professional! Our trained plumbing technicians can help. Give us a call at 972-395-2597!

Read Also: How To Clean Stinky Sink Drain

Shower Or Bathtub Flooding Or Wont Drain Heres What To Do

Standing ankle-deep in tepid shower water might not be the most annoying thing weve ever experienced, but it definitely makes the top ten. To make matters worse, if youve got a shower flooding, or your stubborn bathtub wont drain, the situation can start to become an emergency.

But fear not there are a few things you can do on your own before calling in the professionals if your shower wont drain. Read on for our helpful tips on how to get your shower draining smoothly again, after the break.

Can You Put Vinegar In Tub Drain

Yes, you can put vinegar in tub drains. This can be a great way to clear a drain clog. Vinegar is acidic so it helps to break down any organic material that may be clogging the drain and can even dissolve mineral deposits in the pipes.

For best results, mix the vinegar with some baking soda before pouring it into the drain. This will create an effervescent reaction that can help to loosen stubborn clogs. Let the mixture sit in the drain for about 30 minutes and then run hot water to flush the pipes.

Be sure to avoid pouring vinegar into your toilets and garbage disposals because it can cause damage to the pipes. Regular cleaning of your drains with this simple method can help to prevent clogs from occurring in the first place.

Recommended Reading: Vinegar And Baking Soda Drain Cleaner Video

Temperature Changes Caused Problems Connecting Water To Your Bathtub

Changes in the temperature can cause pipes to contract and expand. This is because they are mostly made of metal. As a result, the connections and seals loosen, providing an alternate route for water to drain through. If the pipes connecting to your bathtub are affected by the temperature, water could be escaping instead of arriving in the tub.

Use A Plumbers Snake To Clear The Blockage

This final method can be quite effective if your shower wont drain or youve got a bathtub flooding due to a blockage but its a bit messy and requires a few tools to get the job done. Youll need: a Phillips head screwdriver, a flat head screwdriver, needle nose pliers, and a plumbers snake.

Use protective gloves and eyewear so as not to get any of the grime on your hands or eyes it can potentially harbor a large amount of bacteria. Carefully unscrew the shower with the Phillips head screwdriver, being sure not to drop any of the screws down the drain.

Then, using the needle nose pliers and the flat head screwdriver, reach into the open drain to grab and remove all the stuck hair and soap buildup. Once youve cleared the initial opening, insert the plumbers snake into the drain as far as it will go.

Use your foot to get the front end of the snake securely into the drain opening before extending it down as far as it will go. Then, turn the handle to bring the snake back up.

Recommended Reading: Washer And Dryer Drain Pan

Bathtub Wont Drain Heres What You Can Do About It

Bathtubs are one of the essential features of any house. Baths provide relaxation, cleanliness, and often a beautiful view for homeowners. Bathtubs also act as an escape from the stresses of everyday life for many people. Wont the bathtub drain? Heres what you can do about it! Bathtubs that dont drain properly usually have one or more problems with their overflow holes, plumbing connections or drains. In this blog post, we will identify these problems and what you can do about them!

Contents

What To Do If Your Bathtub Is Full Of Hard Water Buildup:

The best solution is a product called water softener. You add it in when you run the dishwasher or washing machine, so your water stays clean all the time. Unfortunately, most homes are not built with hard water treatment systems already included. So if you want to get rid of the buildup from calcium deposits on your bathtub, try using vinegar first .

Don’t Miss: 1/2 Inch Drain Auger

Top Methods For Unclogging A Bathtub Drain

You cant go wrong using these traditional methods to unclog a bathtub drain. They may take a little work and a little time, but your bathtub drain will be flowing free once again. If not, it may be time to give Meticulous Plumbing a call.

• Plunger: This should be the first thing you try. Plunging a clogged drain can often loosen the material mucking up the works. Run water to fill the tub enough to cover the plunger, then simply remove the drain opening cover, place the plunger over the drain and move it rhythmically up and down for 15-20 seconds.
• Baking soda and vinegar: Yup the same concoction that creates the illusion of smoke in a science project volcano. Try mixing white vinegar with a cup of baking soda and then pour the fizzy mixture and some hot water down the drain. Some folks swear by the ol boiling water trick without the vinegar and baking soda. We cover this method in a blog post here.
• Chemical drain cleaners: Most people are familiar with chemical drain cleaners. They work by generating heat and dissolving the organic material in the pipe. Some people are hesitant to use them, however. They can burn skin and eyes, so be sure to read all the precautions on the label, and dont forget rubber gloves!
• Plumbers snake: Sometimes called a toilet jack, insert the snake into the clogged tub drain to help loosen the material trapped inside. We dont recommend a wire coat hanger because it could damage the pipes.