The Plague of Hair Clogged Drains: How to Take Out the Blockage in Your Bathtub
Are you tired of stepping into a bathtub filled with water, only to watch it slowly drain away while you’re trying to bathe? Are you sick of the hair accumulation plaguing your bathtub, turning it into a clogged mess? If so, you’re not alone! Hair clogs are one of the most common and frustrating issues homeowners face with their plumbing. But don’t worry, we’re here to help you break free from this pesky problem.
Identify the Source of the Issue
Before we dive into the solution, it’s essential to understand what might be causing the clog. In most cases, hair accumulation is the main culprit. As you shave, wash, or shampoo, loose hair can break off and fall into your bathtub drain, gradually accumulating over time. Other culprits could be:
- Soap scum
- Grease
- Food particles (if your bathtub is also used for washing dishes)
- Hard water minerals
Gear Up for the Task
To tackle the clog, you’ll need some basic tools:
- Plunger (a.k.a. the trusty savior of clogged drains)
- Plumbing snake or auger (for longer, more stubborn clogs)
- Drain cleaner or baking soda and vinegar
- Hot water
- A bucket or container
- A hair-catching mesh filter (optional)
Step-by-Step: How to Remove the Blockage
Method 1: Plunger the Clog Away
- Remove any visible debris from the bathtub drain to ensure a clear path.
- Plunge the drain by holding the plunger over the drain hole and pushing down slowly. Release the pressure, allowing the plunger to re-create suction. Repeat this process several times.
- If the clog persists, you can apply some baking soda or soap to the drain to create a lubricating effect. This might help dislodge the blockage.
- Repeat the plunging process until the clog is gone.
Method 2: Chemical Drain Cleaner or Baking Soda and Vinegar
- If the plunger can’t do the trick, it’s time to get a little more aggressive with a chemical drain cleaner (follow the product’s instructions carefully).
- Alternatively, mix 1 cup of baking soda with 1 cup of white vinegar in a bowl. Pour the mixture down the drain and let it sit for 2-3 hours or overnight. The baking soda and vinegar will help break down the clog.
- After the sitting time, pour 2 cups of hot water down the drain to help rinse away the mixture.
Method 3: Plumbing Snake or Auger
- If the clog is particularly stubborn, you might need to bust out the big guns. A plumbing snake or auger is designed to insert into the drain and break apart the clog.
- Feed the snake into the drain, rotating it as you go. Gently push it through until you feel resistance, indicating the presence of the clog.
- Continue to twist and push the snake, breaking apart the clog. When the snake starts to come back out cleanly, you know the blockage is cleared.
Prevention is the Best Medicine
To avoid the hassle of hair clogs in the future, consider implementing these simple measures:
- Use a hair-catching mesh filter over your bathtub drain to catch loose hair before it enters the pipe.
- Shave outside the bathtub or use a drain screen with a capture mechanism.
- Run hot water through the drain every few weeks to help flush out any debris.
- Consider using a drain screen or filter that can capture hair and other debris at the point of entry, preventing clogs from forming in the first place.
By following these steps, you should be able to clear the hair accumulation plaguing your bathtub drain and enjoy a freely flowing drain once again. Remember to stay vigilant and take steps to prevent clogs in the future to keep your plumbing system running smoothly and efficiently.
How do take out this to get out whatever is plugging my drain up in my bathtub which is probably hair accumulation
Just did this on a similar drain. The thing in the middle should unscrew, lots of turns. Then plunger 🪠, snake and then baking soda followed by hot water followed by vintages followed by hot water. Plunger will pull out a lot of disgusting stuff.
Be aware that some of these don’t unscrew by turning. Rather they have a screw that attaches underneath. Like this
The way mine worked: you LIFT the plug BEFORE the un-screwing. If you’re unscrewing in the down position, it’s just spinning. When you’ve successfully removed it and get a good look at it, you can see why it works like this.
Depending on the build of it, you should be able to twist the plug part off. You could send a snake in from there but if you are greeted by a behemoth hair wad (or over spin your snake and knot it at the grate) then get some needle nose pliers and put the two noses in opposing holes of the grate and twist it off, too.
If you need to do that second part, you should clear the tub out with a shop vac or an hour of patient sponging.
they should sell a drain snake, which is a spiky tool that you stick all the way down the drain and pull the hair off.
to clean the tub dawn dish soap + baking soda along a scrubber works like a charm. you could also use an “eraser”, which looks like a white, plain sponge, to clean the crust around it.
Have you tried to see if you can unscrew it?
It should unscrew
Check for the manufacturer if you can. Probably matches the downspout. Then find a video that covers removing the stopper as there are a multiple of ways.
Once you’ve cleared the drain, get a Tub Shroom and be done with hair in the drain
You shouldn’t have to take that off at all. You can snake from the tub diverter which is directly underneath the tub spigot. It’s either a diverter or an overflow . Take it off and snake down from there.
Hate these designs. I unscrewed mine only to have a big screw bolt sticking up so I can’t use a traditional plug.
I have one just like this. You have to keep lifting it up while unscrewing it by that little round part in the middle. It will seem like it’s not working and will take much longer than you think it should, but eventually it should come out.
I made a small tool out of a wire coat hanger about 8″ long, the smallest j I could make on one end and an L on the other. Stick the J bit down the drain, wiggle a bit and pull up the hair. It’ll take a few tries but it works great for close hair clogs.
I like Mister Plumber from Walmart if available where you are. It’s cheap and usually works. Crystal Lye is real toxic but effective. I usually run a long wire into the drain it as long as possible. This should help loosen the gunk. The wire should be bare and a good size like about 20ga. My snake doesn’t get into tight bend areas.