A Plumber Can Clear A Clogged Bathtub Drain You Can't Get To Open

A clogged bathtub drain is annoying since it can take a long time for your tub to drain out. If you shower in the tub instead, water may rise around your feet. Bathtub drains get clogged with hair, hard water scale, and soap scum. There are a few things you can try to open the drain, but you might need to call in a plumber. Here are ways to clear a bathtub drain.

Use A Hair Snagging Tool

You can buy small tools that you insert in the drain to snag hair so you can pull out a hair clog. It's a good idea to have these tools on hand so you can keep hair out of the drain. If you don't have any tools made for the purpose, you might try bending a hanger or other type of wire so you can pass it in the drain to snag the clog.

Call A Plumber

If you know how to take the overflow drain off and you have the right kind of plunger, try to clear the drain yourself with the plunger before calling a plumber. If you can't get a good seal around the drain, then plunging won't work very well in a bathtub.

When you call a plumber, plunging might be one of the first things they try. The overflow drain has to be plugged or it's not possible to create suction with the plunger. Also, the plunger has to be the cup type and not the type with a flange that's used on toilets. The plumber may try vigorously plunging, and if that doesn't work, they'll probably try snaking or hydro jetting the line.

The plumber may first ensure the clog is actually in the tub drain and not deeper in the sewer line. A sewer line clog can usually be cleared outside without having to work through your bathtub. Either way, the options for clearing a drain clog are to use a snake or water jet. The plumber might want to do a video inspection of the drain first to find out the type of clog and where it's located.

A drain snake or auger can snag a clog deep in the drain and pull it out. A water jet can blast the clog apart and wash it down the drain. Both are effective at unclogging drains, so your plumber chooses the equipment they think will work best. Once the bathtub drain is clear, you may want to put a hair filter in the drain or over it so hair can't get it in and accumulate again. 

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