best way to unclog a bathtub drain

[etech]

First things first.

Check the strainer in the drain and see if it's clogged. They tend to catch hair and such before it goes down the drain.

And yes, bleach works pretty well on cleaning drains.

 

[TGregg]

If you can get to it, you can remove the trap and check out the pipes.

Drains have an S thing on them that keeps water in it (called a trap). This keeps sewer gases from coming up and making your place stink (or explode). As one might expect, this trap is also a great place for hair and everything else to gather together and stop water from going down. If you can get to this thing from below your drain (probably the floor below your bathroom), then check it out. It's very easy if you have these modern plastic pipes, although a tad disgusting.

Otherwise, try the hanger-hook idea or the snake before Draino. Draino has chemicals that can cause burns, so it's better to try physical removal methods before chemical.

BTW: If you are renting, this isn't your problem, but your landlord's.

 

[AmbitV]

Just piss in your tub. The acid from your pee will melt down whatevers clogging up those pipes. Better and cheaper than draino.

 

[dartworth]

A good stong shop vac works wonders on drains too.

 

[GasX]

enzymatic cleaner is better in the long run

 

[Ornery]

"BTW: If you are renting, this isn't your problem, but your landlord's."

I was wondering if somebody was going to mention that, if not, I would!

 

[shopbruin]

if you have anyone that lives with you that has long hair, try to pull all the hair out. my shower drain was draining hecka slow, so i started pulling all the hair out.

that was the biggest clog of hair i ever saw in my life. i kept pulling and pulling. the smell was disgusting. after i got all of it out the water flowed freely again. i still have a bottle of drano nearby but if its hair and if its wound around something or in a big clump i don't think it'll be very effective.

 

[FleshLight]

Or try calling rotorooter

 

[HappyPuppy]

If you own the home, buy yourself a decent snake that attaches to a drill at Home Depot. You will then be able to take care of your own drain problems now and in the future.

I recommend using a battery operated drill to do this. Using a corded drill might get you killed.

 

[0roo0roo]

coathanger. make a hook, scrape out whatever u can. then.. draino. then, buy a drain filter thing. cost maybe 99cents at home depot

 

[brigden]

Originally posted by: amdskip
Hook a garden hose up to hot water and put it as far in the drain as possible. Shove rags around it to seal things up using a screwdriver. Turn the water on and it will flush things out without any harsh chemicals.

amdskip has the right idea. Start with Drano, preferably the foaming variety, once you've given it time to work its magic, run the tap for a few seconds to flush away the chemicals. Next, follow amdskip's advice until your drain is clear.

PSA: Using a shopvac would be an exercise in futility.