We get a call every month about a pesky bathtub being clogged with too much hair and needing advice on how to unblock a bath. A slow draining tub or a clogged bathtub drain is a problem for many homeowners because it is usually accompanied by the unintended effect of pooling water. Standing water is the definition of a standard plumbing issue; we cannot ignore it because we step it in every day when we attempt a morning or afternoon shower.
The water is disgusting, and it comes with health concerns too when water pools for that long. Bacteria starts to grow; mosquitoes use it as a breeding ground, and it might even smell as it collects all your soap and shampoo residue. This is a problem, you can solve this using a chemical drain cleaner, but we understand many people are not comfortable with pouring random chemicals into their drains or don’t know how to snake a tub drain.
While using chemical drain cleaners on a clogged drain might work to unclog your drain problem, there is also a risk of harming your plumbing pipes when choosing this method if you don’t know how to clean bathtub drain properly. Benjamin Franklin Plumbing has a simple solution you can try first before you reach for the chemical cleaners or reach for your phone to call a professional for anyone wanting to know how to unclog a tub naturally before trying to figure out how to snake a bathtub drain or overflow plate.
We do however recommend you call a professional if the clog persists, or don’t know how to clean drain in tub properly, as continually trying to fix a clog might cause more a bigger clog or permanent damage to your residential piping. So, our method is simple; it is broken down into steps, and it uses everyday items like vinegar, hot water, and baking soda. This is close to an old elementary school experiment, and you might even find yourself having fun in the process.
Items needed to make a DIY home remedy drain cleaner
- Kettle of boiled water – about 3 cups boiling water
- Half a cup of baking soda
- One cup of vinegar
- Timer
What you will need to do
First thing is first, make sure you have your bathtub drained before you start and set the drain stopper aside. Use cups or buckets to remove the standing water from your tub and then proceed to the steps to relieving your bathtub clog.
After you have everything prepared, take the following steps to resolve your clog.
- Pour 1 cup of water down your drain
- Put the half cup of baking soda down the drain
- Mix in the vinegar with your second prepared cup of water
- Pour in the vinegar/water mixture down the drain with the added baking soda – Things will begin to bubble/fizz, this is good, it means things are working!
- Cover the drain to allow the chemistry to take place between the vinegar and the baking soda
- Set the timer for 10 minutes to allow the formula to take care of your clog
- Pour another cup of boiled water down your drain to flush out the remaining clog
You have followed the above steps, and you can now check up on your drain. Run water and see if water is still pooling in your bathtub. If this treatment worked then congratulations! You did a great job in fixing your drain, and this method can be reapplied to your kitchen sink, bathroom sinks, and any other fixture that uses a drain.
Why should you not resort to using bleach to unclog your bathtub drain?
We do not suggest pouring bleach down your drain as it will kill both good and bad bacteria. Pouring bleach down your pipes, or toilet is also bad for the piping and wears them down making them weaker and reducing their long life spans. Look for more natural based drain cleaners to fix your clogs. Enzyme-based drain cleaners work well.
Call Benjamin Franklin Plumbing Bay Area today to learn more about how to unclog pesky drains. We are happy to do a full inspection of your plumbing system, resolve your plumbing issues, and provide you with advice on how to preserve your plumbing for years to come so repairs will be limited.
Call: 415-642-4164
Want to learn more about related issues? Check out these other posts!
