Clogged Tub Drain

Are you experiencing a clogged tub drain? Before you call a plumber, the problem is most likely hair trapped in the drain just below the drain cover. And if you don’t mind getting your hands a little dirty, you can save yourself some money.

First, and most importantly, DO NOT use store bought acid based clog removers to try to remove the clog. Liquid clog removers very rarely work and they can cause health risks for you and the plumber you call when it doesn’t solve the clog.

9 out of 10 times when we get a call for a clogged tub drain, the problem is at at the tub drain itself, just below the drain cover. Hair most often catches on the cross in the drain shoe and once removed, no more slow draining or clogged tub.

The proof is in the picture. All you really need is a pair of needle nose pliers and you can remove most of the hair from the tub drain. Simply remove the drain cover and you should be able to see right away if hair is the cause of your clog. You can use needle nose pliers as shown in the picture or you can get creative and possibly use a wire coat hanger (bent at the end) to try to pull the hair out. You can even buy a plastic clog puller at your local hardware store that has teeth to catch the hair and pull it out.

If you’re unlucky enough to be in the 10% where hair is not the actual problem, then it’s time to call your plumber. Sometimes grease and hair will build up further down the drain which is not so easily accessible and you’ll need to use a small snake to eliminate the clog. 

Bottom line, 90% of the time you can remove the clog easily by yourself without having to pay a plumber. It’s also a good idea to check your tub drain yearly for hair buildup. Checking the tub drain periodically allows you to remove trapped hair before it becomes a problem.

We hope you’ve found this information helpful. And if the solution is not a simple hair problem, we’re always available to help solve the problem.