How Do You Snake a Bathtub Drain?

We’ve likely all been there. The time when you notice your bathtub water draining a little bit slower than usual. Maybe it’s filled with soap and shampoo buildup or clogged with hair due to repeated use over the weeks and months prior. With this in mind, there may come a time when you have to snake the bathtub drain. Here’s some insight on what causes bathtub drains to clog, how to prevent bathtub backups, and steps to take when you have to snake the drain to get it clear. 

What Causes Bathtub Drain Clogs?

There are many things that can clog a bathtub drain. Large amounts of hair that build up in the drain over time can cause the bathtub drain to clog. A buildup of soap scum may also make your drain run slower than usual until it eventually clogs. Other items that can clog a drain include foreign objects, such as small toys or jewelry, and the dirt and debris that collects after many bathing sessions. Hard water deposits can also lead to clogged drains in the bathtub.

How Do You Prevent Bathtub Drains from Clogging?

Before you have a need to unclog your bathtub drain, there are some prevention methods to keep this issue from occurring in the first place. Here are some ways to prevent your tub drain from clogging:

• Keep the drain basket clean: The drain basket is what separates the entrance of the bathtub drain from the plumbing pipes. Make sure this drain basket remains clear and check on it periodically to make sure it’s clean. This will ensure the water will flow through and help prevent drain clogs. 

• Try to avoid an accumulation of soap down the drain: Although soap and shampoo will need to wash down the drain during each bath or shower, try to prevent large soap pieces from finding their way into the drain. Large pieces of soap can eventually build up and clog the drain. 

• Use a water softener: Water softeners help to combat magnesium and calcium deposits that result from hard water and cause scale.

Taking these preventive measures may help you avoid having to snake your bathtub drain.

Steps to Snake a Bathtub Drain

If you find yourself facing a clogged bathtub drain and you have to snake the drain, here are some steps to do so:

1. Cover the bottom of the tub with a towel or heavy cloth to protect it from getting scratched during the snaking process.
2. Remove the overflow plate, which is located between the drain and the faucet, so you can put the snake through that area. Remove any soap scum, hair, or other debris from  the overflow plate to see if this is where the clogging issue occurs. You should also remove the stopper. 
3. If the issue isn’t debris in the overflow plate, the next step is to use the snake to clear the area. Insert the snake into the overflow plate opening and feed it down as far as it goes. When you’ve reached the final point, you can work the snake back up to see what debris it removes. It’s a good idea to have paper towels on hand to clean the debris off of the snake. 
4. Run hot water into the drain for a few minutes to make sure the snaking fixed the clog issue. 

If you snake the bathtub drain and you still have a clog, the next step may be to contact a professional plumber for assistance. 

Contact NuBlue for All of Your Plumbing Issues

If you live in the Fayetteville, Greenville, Lake Norman, or Charlotte areas of North Carolina and experience plumbing issues, NuBlue can help! Our team of professional plumbers will help you with your drain cleaning needs, or any other plumbing issues, and get your bathtubs, sinks, toilets, and any other water use areas back to proper working order in no time at all.

Contact NuBlue today to learn more about our plumbing services!