In this article, we’ll go through how to unclog a bathroom sink and clear a bathtub drain.
Each and every bathtub or shower must have a drain. They aid in removing extra water from the shower or tub.
Bath drains are usually made of metal, plastic, and/or a combination of both materials.
How to Clean A Bath Drain
The most common type of bath drain is
- the pop-up drain, which is mounted to the tub or shower floor.
- Older homes frequently have pop-up drains, which are less expensive to install than other types of drains because they don’t need additional plumbing work.
Why Does My Bath Drain Get Clogged
When hair and soap residue mix to form a solid mass, bath drains become stuck. The first step in unclogging a bath drain is to use a plunger to remove the hair and soap buildup.
The use of an overflow drain or the installation of a pop-up stopper in the tub is the best way to avoid a clogged bath drain.
- A device installed to allow water to drain into a sink, toilet, or other plumbing fixture is called an overflow drain.
- Sink and bathtub overflow drains are popular locations for them.
- Although it is made for smaller tubs and showers, a pop-up stopper functions similarly to an overflow drain.
- The pop-up stopper is placed in the tub’s overflow pipe and can be raised or lowered depending on the level of water inside it.
What Causes Bath Drains To Become Clogged
Hair and soap scum buildup in the drain causes bath drains to clog.
There are numerous causes of clogged bath drains. The collection of soap scum and hair in the drain is the most frequent reason.
Hard water mineral accumulation that causes a crust to form on the interior of the pipe and prevents free flow is another typical cause.
Other causes include:
- Toilet paper
- Feminine hygiene products
- Food waste (and other items that may be flushed down the toilet but should not be)
A Comprehensive Guide & DIY Solutions To Clearing A Bath Drain
How To Clean A Bath Drain – DIY #1
Bathtub jams are frequent, especially in homes with kids or animals. Keeping hair and other debris out of the drain is the best approach to prevent them.
However, there are numerous homemade methods that you can apply if a clog does occur and you need to unclog your bathtub drain.
FACT: One of the most popular DIY solutions for clogging is using dish soap and baking soda.
- Simply mix together equal parts dish soap and baking soda and pour it down the drain. This will create a chemical reaction that will help loosen up any hair or other debris that might be blocking your drain.
- If this doesn’t work, try boiling water down the drain instead.
- Boil enough water in a pot on the stove until it boils over into your bathtub’s sink and starts going down into your drain pipe as well.
- Keep boiling water in this fashion until you see steam coming out of your bathtub’s pipe or when it goes down significantly.
How To Clean A Bath Drain – DIY #2
- Find a plunger and set it over the drain as a first step. The water can then be purged from the pipe by repeatedly pressing and pulling on the plunger.
- Try pouring hot water down the drain if this doesn’t work. Any clogs in your line will get softer as a result.
- To clean any residual debris from your pipes, pour a saucepan of boiling water down your drain.
- Find a plunger and set it over the drain as a first step.
- The water can then be purged from the pipe by repeatedly pressing and pulling on the plunger.
- Try pouring hot water down the drain if this doesn’t work.
- Any clogs in your line will get softer as a result.
- To clean any residual debris from your pipes, pour a saucepan of boiling water down your drain.
5 Ways to Clean a Bath Drain
When taking care of a filthy bathtub drain, you should watch out for clogs and foul smells. Boiling water down it and using baking soda as an abrasive cleaner is the best approach to keep these at bay.
However, if you’ve allowed the gunk to accumulate, you might first need to unclog a blockage by plunging the drain or physically clearing the muck out of the pipes.
Fortunately, if you take the proper precautions and have the necessary tools, cleaning the drain in your bathtub is easy.
After a long, hot bath, the last thing you want to do is clean the drain. However, it needs to be done.
Here are some tips on how to clean a bath drain.
1) First, pour baking soda down the drain; then, pour boiling water down the drain after it has sat for about an hour. Any soap scum or dirt that has accumulated in the pipes will be broken up and made easier to remove from your drains by doing this.
2) Scrub any dirt that is obstructing your pipes and decrease their efficiency with an old toothbrush if you have one sitting around. To clear any obstructions that may be preventing water from flowing through your pipes, you can also use a plunger.
3) The majority of the organic buildup in your bathtub may be removed with only one application of a chemical cleaner like Drano or bleach.
4) Consider mixing vinegar and boiling water to quickly dissolve the majority of the organic buildup in your bathtub. However, use plenty of vinegar to ensure that the citric acid, which is the primary cause of that odor, is completely eliminated.
5) Squeeze a little lemon juice or vinegar into the water, then wait a few minutes before using. The water in the tub will smell fresh and this might assist eliminate any organic buildup.
Q: What is lime scale?
A: Lime scale occurs when your tub has minerals like calcium, magnesium, or iron; this could be brought on by hard water or by the presence of a lot of dissolved salts in the water source. As the minerals build up on your fixtures, a thin coating of white powdery material forms on top of the bath water.
Steps To Troubleshoot Your Drain
Step 1- Troubleshooting Your Drain To Try and Clear the Clog
Clogs are never fun. They can be a challenge to fix, but there are some tried and true methods that you can try to clear the clog.
1) Pour hot water down the drain
2) Unclog with a plunger
3) Use a snake or auger
4) Use chemical cleaners
Step 2- Cleaning The Drains With A Household Cleaner
1) The first thing that you need to do is to find out the cause of the clog.
2) If it is because of hair, then a plunger will be enough.
3) If it is because of a lot of hair and soap scum, – then you may need something stronger, like a household cleaner or boiling water.
4) If the clog persists even after following these steps, – then you need to call a plumber immediately.
Step 3- Deciding On An Alternative Method For Unblocking Your Bath Drain
The best way to unclog a tub drain is by using a plunger. A plunger uses suction to create an airtight seal over the drain opening and push the clog out of the pipe.
Q: What is better for clearing kitchen drains; baking soda or vinegar?
A: It depends on what is causing the clog in your kitchen sink.
Conclusion:
The Best Way To Maintain Your Bathroom
We all know that bathrooms can be a breeding ground for bacteria and germs. But, there are some simple things you can do to keep your bathroom clean and fresh.
- Clean the toilet at least once a day with a disinfectant cleaner. This will help remove any bacteria and germs that may have grown on the surface of the toilet bowl. Toilet bowls are usually dirtier than they seem because they are in close contact with feces and urine, which carry many germs.
- Clean the sink regularly with soap and water to remove any dirt or stains that may have accumulated over time on its surface. This will prevent dirt from accumulating in the drains causing them to clog up or slow down when it comes to draining water out of them.
- Rinse your bathtub or shower every day with hot water so that you can remove any soap residue or hair from its surface before it has a chance to accumulate there too much.