Why bathtub drain is slow

If the water drains quickly as it should, you can put everything back together and call it a job well done. To clear it, plug the overflow hole with a rag and fill the tub drain with hot water, which will help to soften and loosen soap scum. Clearing a Clogged Vent Pipe If a tub continues to drain slowly even after the basic cleaning described above, the problem might be caused by a clogged vent pipe.

If you suspect that a clogged vent is causing household plumbing to drain slowly, you can investigate just like a plumber would: Get up on the roof, shine a light down the vent, and see if you can spot an obstruction. If one exists, do your best to pull the debris up and out with your snake. Then put the end of a garden hose down the vent and have someone turn on the water for several seconds. Listen as the vent fills up with water, then listen again after the water is turned off.

A telltale whoosh will let you know that the obstruction has been pushed down the drain. Thanks for signing up! So, it is best to try this when it has been several hours since someone used the tub. Mix equal parts baking soda and salt or just use baking soda. Pour the dry ingredients down the drain. Then, add an equal amount of vinegar. You can start with one cup of each ingredient.

The froth means the chemical reaction is in progress, and your pipes are getting a wipe down. Wait about 10 to 15 minutes and flush the drain with boiling water. If that was enough, water should start to drain more quickly. Some users recommend stopping the drain after starting the reaction, filling the tub and using the water in the tub to flush the drain.

The pressure from the tub full of water can help shift clogs and clear any leftover debris. If you have a plumbing snake, this is the last thing most consumers should try. A plumbing snake is usually inexpensive to buy and can quickly unclog a drain when used properly. A plumbing snake is a long, metal wire that has a spike at the end. You insert the spike into the drain and crank the handle. The turning motion causes the snake to rotate as it travels through the pipes, spearing through blockages and scraping against pipe walls, providing manual drain cleaning action.

Give it around ten minutes, then flush it out with boiling water and test the tub to see if it drains. Another popular option involves using the aforementioned baking soda and vinegar combo, but immediately afterwards plugging up the tub and filling it with water.

You can then release the water, which will all flood down the pipe at once and clear away any of the blockage that remains using sheer pressure. A plumbing snake is an inexpensive yet invaluable piece of equipment that consists of a long metal wire with a spike on the end. This spike can be rotated, either electrically or with a handle.

Lower the snake into the pipe and turn the crank. If your tub is the type where you flip a switch for drainage, then you can just leave the Tubshroom in place. If it's the type that has a removable stopper, then you put the Tubshroom in when the tub is draining. Some people complain that it is awkward to clean, but I've not had much trouble. Home Appliances. Air Conditioners. Water Heaters. Home Improvement. Interior Design. Home Furnishings. Home Decor. Lawn Care.

Pest Control. Bed Bugs. Beneficial Organisms. Garden Pest Control. Rock Gardens. Welcome to Dengarden! Soap Traditional soap bars are made with grease or fat. Dirt Dirt can build up and cause problems. Stopper If the stopper hasn't been fitted correctly or is out of position, it may become stuck in a semi-closed position, and the plunger may restrict drainage. Tree roots Older underground pipes can crack or leak, attracting root growth.

Mineral build up Minerals dissolved in water can build up over time and create insoluble masses that will block your drains. Related Articles. By Rachel Darlington. By Audrey Hunt. By L M Reid. By pinappu.