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how do i unclog my upstairs tub

by Carmela Corkery Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Using Chemical Drain Cleaners

  • 1 Buy a chemical drain cleaner from the store. ...
  • 2 Read the instructions on the back of the cleaner. ...
  • 3 Remove any standing water from the bathtub. ...
  • 4 Pour the required amount of cleaner into the bathtub drain. ...
  • 5 Wait for results. ...
  • 6 Flush the drain with cold water. ...
  • 7 Contact a professional plumber if the drain has not been cleared. ...

Part of a video titled How to Unclog a Tub Drain | The Home Depot - YouTube
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2:39
Take a wire coat hanger and bend the end of it into a hook with a pair of needle nose pliers insert.MoreTake a wire coat hanger and bend the end of it into a hook with a pair of needle nose pliers insert. The hanger into the drain. And use it to fish out any foreign material.

Full Answer

How do you fix a clogged bathtub?

Steps to unclog a bathtub

  1. The first step in removing the clog is to remove the tub drain cover. ...
  2. Remove any hair or debris that’s visible inside the drain. Once you’ve cleared out anything you can see, test the drain by running some water.
  3. If the tub still won’t drain try plunging it. ...
  4. If the drain still doesn’t come unclogged from plunging you’ll need to snake the drain. ...

How to unclog tub drain naturally?

How to unclog a sink drain successfully, with or without a plunger

  1. Use soda crystals. Soda crystals (available from Amazon) are great for all kinds of cleaning jobs – from smelly washing machines to drains.
  2. Use a sink unblocking product. If your sink is lazy, with water taking a while to go down the drain, and especially if you're dealing with a bathroom sink ...
  3. Unscrew the U-bend and clean the pipe manually. ...

More items...

How do you unclog a bathtub drain naturally?

Step by Step Guide

  1. Prepare for the job. You need to remember that working with baking soda and vinegar is not a safe thing. ...
  2. Pour baking soda. Now, the first thing to do when you already prepared for the job is to put baking soda down the drain.
  3. Add vinegar into the drain. ...
  4. Use a wet cloth. ...
  5. Pour boiling water down the drain. ...
  6. Repeat the process. ...

How to unclog a bathtub drain with standing water?

How to Unclog a Bathtub Drain with Standing Water

  • Snake. If you’re going to learn how to unclog a tub, a plumber’s snake is a pretty accessible and effective clog-removing tool you’ll probably work with.
  • Plunger. A plunger is another tool that works well to unclog a bathtub drain. ...
  • Manually. If you don’t have any tools to work with, you can still unclog your bathtub drain. ...
  • Bleach. ...

What to use to unblock a bathtub drain?

How to get hair out of drain with a claw?

How to fix a blocked drain?

What to do if baking soda and vinegar don't work?

What to do if drain is blocked?

How long does it take for vinegar to drain?

Why does hair get stuck in drains?

See 2 more

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What if I don't have a drain claw to pull hair out?

Get a metal clothes hanger and unravel it. Stick the hook end down into the drain and move it around or twist it to grab any hair. Then, pull that...

What will dissolve hair in a drain?

If you can't get the hair out, pour baking soda and vinegar down the drain. Let it fizz up and sit for 20 minutes and then pour hot water down the...

What will clog tough bathtub drains?

It is usually a buildup of hair and soap.

How to Clear a Clogged Tub Drain Naturally (No Chemicals!)

There are, however, more natural ways to unclog the pipes by using the stuff we all have in our household. In this text, we will present some of those ways to you, so strap in and let’s begin!

How to keep a bathtub from clogging?

Replace the stopper and clean the bathtub. Clean and dry your hook, too, saving it for future clog-busting duties. To keep clogs at bay, use a drain cover and avoid emptying mop buckets and other liquids likely to contain dust, dirt, lint, and pet hair into your tub.

Why is my bathtub clogged?

The cause of this scuzzy situation is commonly a clump of hair gathered in the drain pipe a few inches below the stopper. Fortunately, it’s quick and easy enough remove the stopper and banish that nasty bundle. So act on the guidance that follows to unclog the bathtub and enjoy a delightful shower experience again.

How to get rid of hair in drain?

Look inside the drain to see the hair clump. Don your rubber gloves and get a trash bag ready. Insert the hook you made to remove and discard the hair. Carefully cut any remaining hair wrapped around the crosshairs or bars with your utility knife and remove these last bits with your gloved fingers.

Does a slow draining shower leave soap scum?

Nothing interferes with a refreshing shower like a slow-draining bathtub. And that inch or two of water that sneaks up on you is also likely to leave a ring of soap scum and dirt that’s tough to clean.

Can you use hot water to drain a plastic pipe?

If you’ve got plastic pipes, use hot water from the tap only; anything hotter could loosen the pipes. For metal pipes, boiling water can be used. If your drain is still running slow, you might have to use a snake or call a plumber. Advertisement.

How to unclog a bathtub drain?

Pour hot water directly down the drain. The water will react with the baking soda and vinegar to unclog the drain. Test the bathtub to see if this method unclogged your drain, and try another method if this one did not work.

What to do if your bathtub drain is not cleared?

Contact a professional plumber if the drain has not been cleared. Mixing different chemicals can be dangerous, so do not try a different chemical cleaner if the first has not cleared the bathtub drain. At this point, you should call a professional plumber for assistance.

How to remove hair scum from a strainer?

Scrub the strainer or stopper to remove any gunk. Remove any screws securing the strainer with the proper screwdriver. Twist and lift the stopper to remove it. Scrub the strainer and stopper to remove any hair and soap scum.

What does the back of a pipe cleaner say?

Make sure the product is intended for your system; on the back of the cleaner, it will say what types of pipes it is suitable for.

Can you remove a strainer manually?

Though many strainers can be removed manually, some have screws that will need to be removed, too. Remove the screws with the proper screwdriver. If you do not know which type of screwdriver to use, match the screwdriver to the screw head. The size and shape of the screwdriver head should easily fit into the screw.

Can you use an abrasive scrub pad?

You can use a variety of cleaners, just never use an abrasive scrub pad. If you want to be eco-friendly, try using Simple Green. The fixtures usually get soap built up, and this will clean off with a good amount of hard scrubbing.

Can you replace a drain stopper?

Replace the cover or stopper the same way you removed it. Strainers will need to be re-screwed back onto the top of the drain, whereas you can just place the stopper back in the drain.

Why does my bathtub clog up?

In bathrooms, it’s usually just too much hair and soap residue all tangled up. This happens all the time with bathtub clogs. In this case, pressure isn’t going to do the trick. The stuff needs to be torn out, literally.

What to do if pipe is empty?

Hit the pipe with a piece of wood (not metal!). If you here a ringing, hollow sound, then the pipe is empty.

Why is my drain clogged?

Thankfully, there are usually typical explanations to this typical problem. The cause of a clogged drain can usually be dealt with as easily as the clog forming itself. In reality, it’s usually due to some accumulation of solid waste such as small objects, hair, or clumps of soap and grease. Let’s take a look at some of ...

How to fix a sink that is slow to drain?

If one sink is clogged or slow to drain try this: Wait for the water to go down, if it will. Now turn on the water for a few seconds. If the water drains like it should for a couple seconds before backing up the sink, then the clog is at the trap. This is the elbow of pipes just below your sink. If you have more than one drain ...

What to do if auger is clogged?

If the auger has met the blockage that’s causing the clogged drain, have faith that it will burrow through and push the clogging material or let your snag it and pull it back out.

How to remove a water trap?

Be careful of spilling water. Have rags or old towels and a small bucket nearby for water leaking or gushing out when removing the trap. When the trap is off, insert the end of a hand auger.

Can augers damage tubs?

Be careful when using an auger. Sharp, hard metals from these tools can damage sink and tub surfaces as well as internal walls of plumbing pipes.

How to get water out of a tub?

Remove as much water as possible from the basin, tub, or pan with the shop vacuum or by soaking up the water with towels. If this is not possible, you can snake the drain through standing water.

How to get a clogged drain out of a sink?

While holding the plunger firmly in place, fill the sink with water just enough to cover the cup. You should have a tight seal. Use quick, sharp up-and-down motions to work out the clog. Make your thrusts as even as possible and keep the seal intact.

What is a plunger in plumbing?

A plunger is a flexible rubber bell- or cone-shaped tool with an operating handle at the end. A plunger forces water into the drain pipes, pushing the clog onward.

What is a hair clog remover?

A hair clog remover tool is a thin plastic cord with multiple spikes that is inserted into a drain, then removed. The spikes are designed to snag hair in the sink drain.

How to put a drain snake in a drum?

Insert the corkscrew end of the drain snake into the drain as far as it will go on its own. Tighten the thumbscrew on the drum.

How to drain a clogged drain?

For tougher clogs, grab some baking soda, white vinegar, and a rag or drain stop. Pour half a cup of baking soda down the drain, then half a cup of vinegar.

How to get rid of snakes in kitchen drain?

If you are considering snaking your bath or kitchen drain, the fastest and most effective option is to remove the trap and clean it or insert the snake through the trap instead .

What to use to unblock a bathtub drain?

If cleaning the strainer or stopper hasn’t done the trick, the next thing to try is a drain claw. This is an inexpensive tool consisting of a stick covered in small hooks that is designed for unblocking bathtub drains.

How to get hair out of drain with a claw?

Remove the strainer or stopper as before and push the drain claw into the drain. Push it in as far as you can and then slowly pull it out again. The hooks on the stick will grab hold of any clumps of hair, allowing you to pull them out with the stick.

How to fix a blocked drain?

If not, you can move on to the third technique. 3. Baking soda and vinegar. The next technique you can try involves pouring boiling water into the drain with a mixture of baking soda and vinegar.

What to do if baking soda and vinegar don't work?

If the baking soda, vinegar and hot water mixture doesn’t solve the problem , even after a few tries, the blockage is probably more severe and the build-up more solid. This means a bit more force might be required – so the next thing to try is a good old-fashioned bathroom plunger.

What to do if drain is blocked?

This means the first thing you need to do if your drain is showing signs of being blocked is to clean this cover. All you need to do is remove whatever strainer or stopper your drain has and clean off any build-up of hair. If the cover is not screwed down, simply lift it off and give it a clean.

How long does it take for vinegar to drain?

If not, next, pour half a cup of baking soda and a cup of white vinegar into the drain. Wait for 15 or 20 minutes for the mixture to act. Boil another full kettle of water and pour it into the hole and wait for the water to drain away. Run some water to see if it has worked.

Why does hair get stuck in drains?

The problem with this is that hair can become tangled up in it, eventually preventing water from passing.

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1.Videos of How do I Unclog My Upstairs Tub

Url:/videos/search?q=how+do+i+unclog+my+upstairs+tub&qpvt=how+do+i+unclog+my+upstairs+tub&FORM=VDRE

20 hours ago  · This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey shows how to fix a slow draining tub. (See below for tools.)SUBSCRIBE to This Old House: http://...

2.7 Ways to Unclog a Bathtub Drain Full of Hair (without …

Url:https://www.sunrisespecialty.com/how-to-unclog-bathtub-drain

10 hours ago  · When you snake a tub, you snake it down the overflow hole. I have never been stymied by a pluggd tub - ever. Yes, the sulphuric acid can work, but also yes could be …

3.How to Clear a Clogged Bathtub Drain | This Old House

Url:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWZklniOo_4

12 hours ago The best approach here is to remove (unscrew) the trap and remove it temporarily. Be careful of spilling water. Have rags or old towels and a small bucket nearby for water leaking or gushing …

4.5 Ways to Unclog a Bathtub Drain - wikiHow

Url:https://www.wikihow.com/Unclog-a-Bathtub-Drain

33 hours ago  · The clog could be further down than you think or could be related to venting from other fixtures. All drains, in both baths, should be snaked clear while running or pouring hot …

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Url:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rE0b0zRkkmo

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