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How To Clear A Clogged Tub Drain
Author : Sean Goudelocks
Submitted : 2012-01-24 21:17:59 Word Count : 556 Popularity: 0
Tags: clogged sink drain, sink drain, clogged sink, clogged drain
A blocked or clogged tub drain is a pain in your daily routine. That’s why every time you are faced with some stubborn dirt that blocks your drain, you instantly think of the drain cleaner bottle or calling the plumber. But wait just a minute. Many clogged drains are simple problems you can easily fix. With the right tools, you can save some money on drain cleaner or on hiring plumbers.
Most drain pipes are constructed with curves that are the bottom end. These curves, called traps, are meant to trap water to prevent foul gases from the sewer from coming up. Overtime, these traps can get blocked with a variety of things. For a tub, the main culprits are soap scum and hair. These particles are collected in the trap of the drain pipe until they eventually cover and block the entire drain.
The simplest way to unclog a drain pipe is to see if you can reach for whatever is blocking it. Tub drains are most commonly blocked by hair and soap scum buildup. These particles can be quite close to the drain opening. Often, you can simply reach down and pull out the blockage to clear the pipe. Since this is not exactly a fun thing to do, you can improvise tools such as bending a wire coat hanger into a hook. A needle nose pliers or tweezers can also do the trick.
If you can’t see the clog to pull it out, it is now time to bring the plunger to good use. The plunger is first tool you’ll need to clear a clogged tub drain. Put enough water in the tub to cover the bottom part of the plunger. You must also cover the overflow outlet with a rag or duct tape. Put the plunger directly over the drain and use sharp plunges to clear it out. Push down five to six times in quick, sharp motions. The pressure caused by the plunger should clear any obstructions that have developed in the drain pipe. Lift the plunger and the water should drain away. If the drain is still blocked, then you simply moved the clog down where it got stuck again.
If the plunger fails, a plumber’s snake is the next step in clearing a drain. A plumber’s snake, or just snake, is a long flexible steel cable wound around a handle. Using the snake on a sink simply means feeding it down the drain. But for a tub, you need to feed the snake through its overflow plate opening. Begin by feeding in about three feet of the snake into the opening. Then begin turning the snake as you move farther down. You’ll start to feel some resistance as you reach the trap of the drain. Keep on turning as this helps the snake clear its way through the pipe. The snake should either break up the clog by passing through it, or the dirt can get hooked at the end of the snake and you can pull it out.
A clogged tub drain must be cleaned immediately or you may end up with some dirty bath tub spoiling your bathroom. With a little hard work and some knowledge, you can clean your tub drain like a pro.
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