Is your bathtub draining slowly? If you’re standing in inches of water as you take a shower, or you smell a foul odor from the drain, you likely have a backed up drain. In today’s post, we’re going to discuss what you can do about that.
- Remove the strainer and stopper
Some bathtubs will have a stopper but no strainer.
- Clean out the debris
Once the stopper is removed, you may notice there is something blocking the drain. It could be hair, dirt clumps, soap scum and other debris. Whatever it is, you need to get rid of it. You can do so with your finger (we recommend you use gloves), a washcloth or a drain claw. A drain claw is a handy tool designed to remove unwanted debris from drains. Insert the claw and move it in a slow back-and-forth motion. The drain claw has hooks that catch debris, so it should be able to help with most minor clogs.
- Use vinegar and baking soda
If you didn’t have any luck with a washcloth or drain claw, you have the option to use vinegar and baking soda to break down and wash out debris. Pour a mixture of ¼ a cup of baking soda and 1 cup of white vinegar down the drain. Give it about 20-25 minutes and rinse the drain with hot water. Even if you were able to remove debris in the previous step, the baking soda and vinegar combo will help clean the pipes and potentially remove foul odors.
Have you tried all the above and still no luck? Don’t hesitate to call a professional San Clemente, CA plumber who can diagnose exactly what’s wrong with your drain and pipes. Contact AW-Sons to quickly get the help you need.
