What Causes Your Bathtub to Drain Slowly?

Does your bathtub slowly drain when you pull the plug? This could be due to a clog.

Before calling a plumber, DIY methods should always be tried first. Liquid chemical drain cleaners may harm your pipes and septic system if misused.

Remove the tub’s drain cover and pour one cup of vinegar and a half of baking soda down the drain.

To tackle that bathtub, drain clog, follow these DIY steps, and for more detailed guidance, you can also visit Clover Services.

Dirt and debris

Many bathtub clogs are caused by hair and other debris. While we usually lose strands of hair while showering or shaving, some may get caught in drainpipes, where they tangle with soap scum or debris and eventually build up and block water flow ultimately.

To unclog your tub, begin by taking these steps: first, remove the drain cover; clear away any visible buildup in both strainer and stopper; use a plunger (sink drain as opposed to the toilet), ensuring it forms an airtight seal around the plughole; make quick push down/pull up motions as part of routine strokes to break through clog; repeat until dislodging occurs.

If this doesn’t work, pour one cup of white vinegar and a half of baking soda down your drain to create a chemical reaction and loosen gunk from pipes. After which, run hot water down for several minutes – this should do the trick!

Hard water

Hard water contains minerals that can cause soap scum and hair buildup inside pipes, clogging them up and preventing proper drainage. If your home uses hard water, consider investing in a water softener, as this solution could prove invaluable for appropriate drainage.

If the blockage persists despite using manual drain cleaning tools, try plunging your bathtub. This technique uses suction to loosen stubborn clogs without harming pipes.

Clogged vent pipes

Water runs through pipes containing minerals such as calcium and magnesium that cling to their sides as they move, collecting over time into deposits that block drains or prevent airflow and lead to vacuum effects that prevent it from draining away properly.

Clogs in vent pipes also impede airflow and may create an atmosphere where no liquid drains down into drains – potentially creating an emergency and leading to blockages that stop all drainage completely.

Clogged p-trap

Vent pipes equalize the air pressure in drain pipes to prevent vacuum effects, and they may become blocked with leaves, branches, bird or rodent carcasses or other forms of debris that block their passageway, preventing proper functioning.

Plunging can often be sufficient to clear away clogged tub drains, with specific plungers specifically designed for bathtubs available on the market. 

To use it effectively, ensure the overflow plate is open before submerging the plunger cup in the drain and pumping up and down for 20 seconds before pouring a bucket of water down the drain to check whether or not the blockage has been cleared away.

Professional plumbers are the way forward if your tub drain issue cannot be solved independently. Be sure to discuss with them what steps have been taken so they can assess your situation more accurately.