Clogged Tub or Shower Drain? How to Remove the Blockage
A shower or bath drain blocked or clogged is a common problem that plagues homes all over the world. Depending on the severity of the blockage, the tub my drain slowly or not at all. If that's the case, you can forget about enjoying a relaxing bath until the blockage is removed. Keep in mind that, even if the drain is draining albeit'slowly, it will eventually become completely clogged. That is why it is important to take care of the clog as soon as possible. Thankfully, there are several methods that you can use to remove the blockage form the drain.
Things You?ll Need
? Screwdriver
? Coat hanger or pliers
? Plunger
? Snake (also called auger)
Manually Removing the Blockage
One of the first things you should do when faced with a drain blockage is to see if you can spot the clog by unscrewing or lifting ? depending on the type of tub drain you have ?the chrome cover. If you're tub is a bit older, you may have a plug attached to chain. If this is the case, simply pull on the chain to remove the plug. Typically, hair or soap scum is the culprit causing the clog and sometimes you can spot it with the help of a flashlight. Reaching in and pulling out the clog may be all that is required. It might sound disgusting, but if the blockage is in reach, simply snatch it up with your hand. If you can see the clog but it is too far down for your hands to reach, grab a metal coat hanger, pair of pliers of other took that you can use to hook the clog and pull it out of the drain.
Grab the Plunger
The next method for dealing with a clogged tub or shower drain is to get your handy plunger and start plunging. In order to proper plunge the drain, you will need a cup-type plunger and enough water inside the bath so that the cup of the plunger is completely submerged. Too much water, however, will lead to a splashy mess, so you may need to remove some of it with a bucket. When plunging, do so in a vertical up and down motion while keeping the plunger?s handle straight. If you tilt the handle at an angle, it reduces the force and could break the seal created by the plunger cap. Plunge for 20 second intervals and then stop to determine if you have made any headway. If not continue plunging a couple more times.
Use a Snake
Also known as an auger, a drain snake is a long and flexible steel cable that is attached and wound to a handle. To remove a clog, feed the drain snake into the problem drain. You may hit resistance while trying to move past the trap in the bathtub, but continue feeding the drain snake until you'reach the clog. Turn the drain snake?s handle. This should either break up the clog or hook it'so you can easily pull it out of the drain.