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This will help to break the clog. Wet Vacuum to Remove Bathtub Drain Clog. Remove the drain cover of the main drain and overflow drain. Cover the over flow drain with a duct tape. Switch on the wet vacuum and place the hose over the drain such that the hose completely covers the drain opening. Place a palm over the overflow drain and then start the machine. How to Unclog a Bathtub Drain Naturally. When water drains slowly out of your bathtub, you know you have a clog to treat. Clogs, formed by hair, soap buildup, and other debris, are usually quite simple to remove without resorting to harsh.
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Follow these steps to troubleshoot a clogged sink drain. (Photo by Steve Mitchell)
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Check out these tips to unclog a drain and prevent clogs from happening in the future.
Kitchen and bathroom sinks do a great deal of work around your home, so if they're clogged, you'll notice right away. These clogs typically happen as a result of built-up debris in your pipes — everything from crumbs or hair to dirt or grease.
Although stores sell many chemicals to clear your drain, these products are harsh and can cause damage to the pipes. Many times these products simply move the clog further down, which can eventually cause a larger backup.
Here a few ways to help you remove drain clogs and prevent them from forming in the future.
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Boiling hot water
Try attacking your clog with boiling water. Hot water won't do it — boiling is the key to dissolving any organic matter in your sink.
A few words of warning, however: Don't use boiling water if you have PVC pipes, as the heat could cause their joints to loosen. In addition, make sure to never pour boiling water directly onto a porcelain sink bowl, as it can crack. Always pour the water directly down the drain. Use a large kettle or pot, boil it on the stove, pour it down the drain and repeat if necessary.
Vinegar and baking soda
When boiling water alone won't clear a sink, you can try using vinegar and baking soda. Start by pouring half a box of baking soda down your drain. Don't add any water. Next, pour half a cup of vinegar down the sink and then stop up the drain with a metal stopper or rags; vinegar and baking soda produce the 'volcano' reaction often seen in school projects. Wait 30 minutes before pouring boiling water down the drain.
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Plunger or hand plunger
If your sink is completely plugged due to a large obstruction, or has become so clogged no liquid will flow through, it may be time for a plunger.
First, make sure you have the right kind of plunger: cup-shaped, not flanged, is what you want for a sink. Both handheld and full-length plungers are available and they are equally effective.
Remove any metal strainers in your kitchen sink, or the metal stopper in your bathroom sink. Fill the sink halfway full with water, then place the plunger over the drain and make sure you have a firm seal. Use sharp, fast plunges to remove the clog. Check periodically to see if the sink is draining.
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Small hand-operated drain snake
These handheld drain snakes are available from hardware supply stores, typically for less than $10. They use a long, spring steel wire to 'snake' into drains. Once up against a clog, they can be twisted to catch and remove debris. The steel wire design allows them to bend around most pipes.
If all else fails, you may have to remove the drain pipe and remove the clog manually. Clogs often form in the U-shaped piece called the P-trap. This piece normally has a nut on either end that is easy to twist off. If you have metal pipes, you may need to use channel locks or a large adjustable wrench. Also, make sure to place a bucket underneath the P-trap before removing it.
While these home techniques can be effective in removing sink clogs, consider hiring a plumber if you encounter anything unexpected, or if none of the above DIY methods work. Large plumbing problems require professional expertise; without proper knowledge, you may do more harm than good.
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Drain clogs often require a plumber, but you can take some steps on your own to remove a clog.
Drain maintenance
You don't have to be an ace plumber to keep your drains clear. Here are some easy ways to maintain drains and prevent clogs:
• Cover drains with hair and food catchers, also called strainers, to keep these items from entering the drainage pipes and causing a clog.
• Run hot water down the drain after each use. Hot water washes away any fresh buildup, allowing it to flow through the drain, as opposed to sticking to the sides of the pipes.
• Add a handful of baking soda to your drains and follow with hot water. Baking soda is a great natural cleaner and will help remove odors. Vinegar is another great natural cleaner for drains.
Editor's note: This is an updated version of an article that was originally published on Dec. 10, 2012.
Did you use any of these DIY unclogging methods? Tell us how they worked for you in the comments section below.
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A clogged bathtub may be a little higher on the difficulty scale than a clogged kitchen drain or toilet, but most homeowners should be able to fix this problem using basic repair tools and commercially available chemical drain openers. Before attempting any clogged bathtub repair, however, you may want to first make sure that you have all of these tools and chemicals on the premises. This could mean a trip to a local hardware store to buy a plunger or plumber's helper, a drain snake, an adjustable pipe wrench and a chemical drain opener.
One of the first ways to fix a clogged bathtub is to visually inspect the drain for obvious blockages. Sometimes, a small bar of soap or a child's toy becomes wedged in the bathtub drain and it becomes a simple matter of pulling the blockage out. The object may be stuck a short way down the drain, so careful prodding might dislodge it. Clumps of hair can also accumulate behind the plate covering the water controls, so it might help to remove that plate by removing a few screws and manually cleaning out the opening.