Did you know that clogged shower drains are the third-most common plumbing complaints?
If you have a clogged bathtub, it’s a nuisance and can cause a flood in the bathroom. Preventing future clogs makes for a more pleasant shower and bath experience.
What can you do to prevent a clogged bathtub, and what is the next step? Here are some tips.
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Assess the Severity of the Clog
One of the first steps you should take to assess the severity of the clog in your bathtub is to examine the type of blockage. Depending on the backup, you can unclog the bathtub with a plunger or a drain snake.
The severity of the clog is determined by how much water drains from the tub.
If the tub is completely drained, it is more likely severely clogged than if water is slowly seeping. In the latter case, it is likely either a minor bathtub stop in the drain pipe or due to the accumulation of soap, dirt, or other debris.
Use a Chemical Drain Cleaner
If you’ve determined that the best course of action to unclog your bathtub is to use a chemical drain cleaner, there are still a few next steps before using the product.
First, shut off the water supply to the bathtub so that you don’t cause a potential hazard if any chemical drain cleaners splash back out of the drain opening.
Then, wear eye protection and gloves when applying the product. Follow the product instructions carefully and make sure that any safety notes on the product label, such as ventilation requirements, are followed.
You should also regularly pour a cup of baking soda followed by a cup of vinegar into the drain and flush it with hot water to help prevent a clogged bathtub.
Call a Professional Plumber
If you’re dealing with a clogged bathroom sink or bathtub, the most important thing is to figure out what is causing the clog. You can tend to the problem yourself if it’s a simple blockage.
If that doesn’t do the trick, then it may be time to call a professional plumber or search for a plumbing company to have them look at the problem.
Plumbers will have the proper tools to properly unclogging a pipe drain. They can do it in a fraction of the time and effort it would take for you to do it yourself.
To prevent clogs in the future, use mesh strainers, use drain cleaners regularly, and be diligent about cleaning out the hair around the drain.
Clogged Bathtub Maintenance & Prevention Strategies
If you have a clogged bathtub, the best thing for you to do is to take proactive steps, such as investing in special drain-cleaning tools and adhering to a regular maintenance schedule. Taking the time to follow these steps will help you prevent or even stop further clogs in the future.
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