How to Fix a Clogged Tub Drain

Using a Toilet Plunger

• Scrub the stopper or strainer to remove any gunk, hair and soap scum. You can remove the stopper or strainer by loosening any screws that secure such components, twisting and lifting them.
• Fill your tub with a few inches of water to a level that the plunger is submerged. Take note that water can greatly help the plunger get enough suction to get rid of any obstructions in the drain.
• Place the bowl of the plunger over the drain, and then press and pull it at a rapid pace. This task will require you to exert some force, so be careful not to get splashed on. Most likely, you will see dirty water with gunk rushing out of the drain, while you are plunging.
• After about several plunges, and you do not see dirty water and gunk coming out, try putting in more force. Keep plunging until you see the water draining down the pipe when you remove the plunger.

Using a Drain Claw

• Remove the strainer, and as mentioned above, you would find hair and soap gunk accumulating underneath it. Clean it up by brushing or any means possible. If your drain has a stopper, instead of a strainer, remove it. This can be easier to do because they are not held down with any screws. You can just twist and lift it by hand. And again, remove excessive gunk around it, which have accumulated in the area over time. You may have to scrub it, depending on how dirty it is.
• Insert the drain claw down the drain deep enough that it is going to hit the trap, which is the curved part of the drain. Keep pushing the claw through this area, and do not worry about breaking something as this device is very flexible. It has many small interlocking hooks, so you should be able to grab and pull out some hair and other debris that might be causing the clog.
• Pull out the drain claw and clean the gunk that it has pulled out. Test the tub to see if it is unclogged. Turn on the faucet to see if water is now going down the drain properly.
• Replace the strainer or stopper in a reverse manner that you removed them. Remember that strainers need to be screwed back onto the top of the drain, while stoppers can just be placed back in the drain by hand.
• Keep the drain claw to be used again in the future. Keep in mind that hair and soap scum can build up in a few months, so having this device comes in handy at times.

Tips on Preventing Clogs in Your Bathtub Drain

Preventing the occurrence a clogged bathtub drain requires only a little work. To avoid spending excessive time, effort and even money whenever this problem happens, you can make it a habit of pouring down hot water into the drain on a regular basis. This will help loosen any fresh gunk that would build up over time.

If you have tried all these methods and nothing worked, then it would be best to hire a professional to get the job done for you.