by Robert Falasco

Created on: August 22, 2010   Last Updated: August 23, 2010

With over twenty two years in the plumbing trade I have found one of the most common problems I encounter is a clogged tub drain.  with With the design of tub drains and what goes down them they are bound to slow at some point.

You will want to determine if your drain is old or fairly new.  The reason is that in many parts of the country a tub drain that is over 30 years old can be lead or galvanized steel.  There are several ways to check for the piping material of your tub drain.

Most tubs will have an access panel behind them. You may also be able to see the drain from underneath if the tub is on the first floor of a home.  If the drain is silver than it is either lead or galvanized steel.  If the pipe is brown it is probably copper, white pipe is PVC or black pipe is ABS plastic.

The reason you want to know if it is lead or galvanized steel is that this piping is usually old, with a good chance it is fragile, you don’t want to make a major repair out of small job.  Copper, PVC and ABS  usually means it is a newer drain, but you will always want to be careful while working on any of these drains.

You will want to remove any strainer or stopper that is in the tub drain (called the tub shoe), sometimes it is very hard to remove these, so you may have to leave it in place.  If your tub drain stopper is operated by a lever on the overflow plate (this is a trip lever), you should remove the two screws that hold the plate on.  Then pull the whole trip lever linkage (it will be several pieces of connected wires and a stopper) out.

If there isn’t a trip lever just remove the overflow plate.  You will now be able to place a wet rag or bundle of wet paper towels into the top of the overflow.  By blocking the overflow you will be able to plunge the drain more effectively than if the overflow was open.  If the overflow was open the air from your plunging would just come out the hole and not allow you to get any suction.

With the paper towels or rag in place you will want to place your plunger over the drain opening and fill the tub with several inches of hot water.  Using hot water will loosen any soap and hair in the drain.

Start plunging slowly, be forceful but try to keep control of the plunger.  Many people will plunge quickly and not get the full suction effect.  A slow, forceful rhythm to your plunge you will work the clog loose. 

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>