Six DIY Hacks to Unclog Your Tub
Skip the plumber bill and unclog your bathtub yourself with these six simple DIY hacks—and all you need is a screwdriver and a pair of gloves.
Written by Kathryn Mae Kurlychek
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
Don’t waste money on a plumber until you’ve first tried these six simple DIY home hacks to unclog your bathtub yourself.
Clogged drains are an inconvenience at best—at worst, they can start to smell, and if left alone too long can cause damage to your pipes. But you don’t have to shell out big bucks for a professional to fix the clog. In fact, there are several easy do-it-yourself hacks to unclog your bathtub from home.
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How to tell if your drain is clogged
If you find yourself standing in an inch of water while you shower, or notice your tub takes an unusually long time to drain, chances are your drain is clogged. Most often, drains become clogged by clumps of hair and excess dirt and grime.
The good news is, you can usually unclog your tub yourself with minimal tools, no chemicals, and (best of all) no expensive plumber bill. But first, you’ll have to remove your drain.
Removing your drain is a little different depending on the type you have—in most cases, however, all you need is a
4-in-1 screwdriver
(and maybe a pair of pliers). Most drains will have a screw on the top that you can loosen to remove the drain cover to access the pipe below. How to unclog your tub
Once you’ve successfully removed your drain cover, it’s time to tackle the clog itself. Here are the easiest (and surest) DIY ways to unclog your bathtub.
Boiling water
The first (and easiest) way to unclog your tub is by pouring boiling water down the drain. Hot water can dissolve the grimy build-up of soap residue, shampoo, and other dirt particles with ease. All you have to do is boil a pot of water, don some protective rubber gloves, and slowly pour the hot water down your drain.
Try not to pour the water all at once—it’s best to do it in intervals and see whether the clog is clearing up. If it’s not, you can take a stick or long rod, and carefully poke it down the drain to dislodge any debris (like hair mats). You can also add dish detergent to the water for an added grease-busting effect.
If your drain is still clogged, you may have to try another method.
Baking soda & vinegar
Baking soda and vinegar are two ingredients standard to almost any household—and they can also work as a homemade plumber’s solution in a pinch! The chemical reaction that occurs between vinegar and baking soda can help dissolve blockages in your drain.
Mix together one cup of vinegar with one-third cup of baking soda, stir, and immediately pour down your drain. You’ll want to let the mixture sit for at least an hour, then rinse your drain with boiling water to clear out any remaining gunk.
Plunger
Using a toilet plunger to unclog your tub drain isn’t the most reliable hack, but it’s worth a shot if you’re continuing to struggle with the clog. For the best results, fill your tub with a little water and use vaseline around the edge of your drain (and the perimeter of your plunger) to help create a tighter seal.
Plumber’s snake
If you want the plumber’s tools but not the bill, you can purchase your own
plumber’s snake
from virtually any hardware store for as little as $10 or less, and use it to unclog your drain like a pro. All you have to do is carefully insert the plumber’s snake into your drain until you feel the clog. Once you’ve found it, slowly turn the handle of the snake as you lift it up and back out of the drain.
Hanger
A cheaper alternative to buying a plumber’s snake is to just fashion a bent wire coat hanger into a makeshift plumber’s snake.
Simply unwind the neck of the hanger (but leave the hook) and straighten out the wire until your hanger becomes more of a long rod. You then can use it to poke down your drain and feel for the clog. This hack works especially well on clogs caused by hair clumps or mats, as you can easily catch hair on the end of the hanger to pull it free.
Your hands
If the clog is close enough to the surface, you can always just use your hands to unclog your bathtub. If you’re going for manual removal of the clog, be sure to wear a pair of protective gloves before touching anything.
How to find affordable home insurance
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FAQ
How do you unclog a bathtub?
Plumbers typically charge at least $100 to unclog a drain—but you can easily do it yourself at home with minimal tools using a DIY method like boiling water and detergent, baking soda and vinegar, a plumber’s snake or coat hanger, a toilet plunger, or simply your hands.
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