How do you clear a slow bathtub drain?

Normally a bathtub drain can be cleared by the homeowner. You need two things: a barbed plastic drain strip and a plunger. Work through the steps below, and if the tub still drains slow at the end, that is the point to call for drain cleaning in Mishawaka, and we come out with a high-speed chain snake.

Step 1: the barbed drain strip

First, remove the drain plug. Then stick the barbed plastic drain strip into the drain, twist it a few times, and pull it out. It will be full of hair and grease, so have a trash can and hand towels ready to clean the strip. Repeat this until nothing comes out on the strip, then try the drain.

We carry these strips on our trucks and can leave one with you after a visit. A regular plunger from any home improvement store does the rest, and the plain one works best.

Step 2: plunge the drain

If the strip did not completely clean the drain and it is still draining slow, the next step is to plunge it. This works best with two people, but it can be done alone.

First, stuff a wet washcloth under the overflow cover, the plate below the faucet. Look for the space at the bottom of that cover, because that is where the cloth goes. Without it, air passes through the overflow and the plunger does nothing.

Then put a few inches of water in the tub and plunge it several times.

Step	What you need	What it clears
1. Drain strip	The strip, a trash can, hand towels	Hair and grease near the opening
2. Plunger	A plain plunger, a wet washcloth	A clog farther down the line
3. Call us	Our truck and a high-speed chain snake	What the first two could not move

Step 3: when it is time to call

If plunging does not clear your drain, it is time to call ASAP Poop at (574) 254-7667. We come out with a high-speed chain snake, one in every drain cleaning truck, and clear the line.

The drum trap in older homes

If you have an older home, you may have a drum trap. Drum traps are almost impossible to clean and should be removed. They were designed to be cleaned every year but almost never were, and the top is usually rusted onto the base so it cannot be removed for cleaning. ASAP Poop can remove it for you as part of our plumbing services.

Frequently asked questions

What is a barbed plastic drain strip?

A thin plastic strip with barbs along both edges. It slides into the drain, and when you twist it and pull it out, the barbs bring up the hair and grease that collect just below the drain opening. Repeat until it comes out clean. We carry them on our trucks and can leave one with you.

Why does my plunger do nothing on the bathtub?

Because a tub has an overflow opening under the plate below the faucet. When you push the plunger, the air escapes through it instead of pushing on the clog. Stuff a wet washcloth under that cover first, put a few inches of water in the tub, then plunge several times.

How many times should I use the drain strip?

Until nothing comes out on it. The first pass usually brings up a lot of hair and grease, and later passes bring up less. Keep a trash can and hand towels beside the tub, clean the strip between passes, and try the drain once the strip comes out empty.

When should I stop and call for drain cleaning?

When the strip and a proper plunge, with the overflow blocked, still leave the tub draining slow. At that point the clog sits farther down the line than home tools reach. Call (574) 254-7667 and we bring a high-speed chain snake, which rides in every one of our drain cleaning trucks.

What is a drum trap and why remove it?

A drum trap is a canister-style trap found in older homes. It was designed to be opened and cleaned every year, but almost none ever were, and the lid rusts onto the base so it cannot be opened. They are nearly impossible to clean, so we recommend removing it. ASAP Poop can do that for you.

Is this what ASAP Poop charges to clear a drain?

No. This post is the do-it-yourself part. When a drain needs our chain snake or a drum trap has to come out, we look at the job and put the quote in writing before any work starts. Call (574) 254-7667.