A blocked tub is a disaster. Stagnant water is a source of many problems and an unhealthy environment. Such water has to be removed. It is even worse when the stagnating water is dirty. In areas such as the bathroom, it is common to find water stagnating. This usually happens when the drain has accumulated a lot of solid matter ending up blocking water. This water has to be gotten rid of at whatever cost. So how does one unclog a tub full of water? This article has all which you need to know about unclogging. Read it for more information.
What causes the tub to clog?
It is a common phenomenon for a tub to clog. As long as it is in constant use, clogging is inevitable. The major things which cause the clogging are:
- Long hair usually falls off when one takes a shower. These hairs usually attach to the walls of the pipe and over time, it completely cuts off the water drainage.
- Dead skin matter which is always shed when one takes a shower.
- Soap scum is responsible for trapping any matter passing through the drain. The scum causes these matters to attach to the wall of the pipe.
- Solid food particles go down the drain when one is washing utensils.
- Any other solid matter which can accidentally go through the sink drain. Such include small pieces of soap, thread from garments and so on.
Bathtub won’t drain standing water/standing water in the tub after Drano.
If the bathtub is not draining the standing water, then it means that it is blocked. When you have removed all the visible solid matter from the drain and still it can’t let water, then t is clogged. It is high time that you unclog it. To begin the process, drain off the excess water first by other methods. You can use a bucket to scoop the excess water.
The next thing is to unclog it so that water can flow freely. If you do not clean the drain frequently, it will eventually lead to clogging and water won’t flow. To avoid such problems, clean your drains every week or even twice a week. The more you do the better. When in big trouble on the same, you better call in a plumber who will help you out.
How to unclog a tub full of water?
There is more than one procedure to follow to unclog a drained tub. Either of the procedure can be used at a time. All will eventually lead to the unclogging of the tub. The procedures are:
- Use of baking soda.
- Deployment of chemical drainers.
- By use of a plunger.
- Use of drain claw.
Remember that we are trying to unclog a tub full of water. So whenever possible, try to drain some water before beginning the process. Following the above procedures, unclogging can be done as follows:
⇒ By the use of baking soda.
Baking soda when used can cause the element to block the water to dissolve. If you deploy the required amount of soda and provide sufficient time, then unclogging will happen. It is done by considering the following steps.
Remove the drainer and clean it.
The first point in which clogging can happen is just at the drainer. This is the first point where solid material gets to rest before proceeding on. You can get it out by use of screws. Clean the drainer thoroughly by the use of water. If it has some stubborn stains, you can dip it in water and leave it to settle for some time. Remove the entire solid which has accumulated on this part as they are the main cause of the blockage. Rinse the stopper with clean water.
Pour some boiling water down the drain.
For tough stains and where the blockage is solid rock, pour in some hot water. This can dissolve soap scum and other matter hence may unclog the drain. Test the drain to see if it lets the water flow. You are cautioned that hot water may be harmful if splashed. So exercise some care when dealing with it.
In some instances, however, hot water may not open the drain. You will, therefore, have to deploy other methods to open the drain.
Baking soda and vinegar.
The proportion to use here is that, for every one cup of vinegar, add about a quarter cup of vinegar. This is strong enough to unclog a drain. Sufficient time has to be provided for the solution to take effect. The solution lasts for up to half an hour, but it depends on how fast it unclogs. Since the stubborn stains would have been diminished, you can complete the pouring more hot water.
⇒ Deployment of chemical drainers.
The steps are:-
Clear excess water.
For the chemical to act on the solid matter, it has to be provided with a conducive environment. This is by removing excess water from the tub. It helps in allowing the chemical to act on the blockage rather than dissolving in excess water. Read the instructions carefully before using any chemical.
Pour the chemical to the clogged bathtub.
You should have measured the required amount. The measurements also differ depending on the type of tub you are using. So you should first get to know which tub you are working with. Chemical is dangerous. Avoid bodily contact with the chemicals. Any splashed chemical should be cleaned immediately as it poses danger to the user. It can cause corrosion of parts in the bathroom too.
Let the chemical settle.
Chemical cleaner takes time to act on the blockage. It needs a good amount of time to clear the clog. The recommended time for the chemical to work fully is half an hour. So check the results after half an hour. After the set time, flash the tub with water to find out if it has opened up. Use cold water.
⇒ By use of a plunger.
The plunger is one of the best things to unclog the tub. It works well when the tub is full of water.
Place the plunger over the drain.
When using this tool, water should cover the entire head of the plunger. That is where the plungers get the power to suck out or push down to the drain. Push down the plunger and pull it up with a jerk. This will forcefully remove suck the clog upwards.
Repeat the process as many times as possible until you notice the water flowing down the drain smoothly. This method does not require the use of any chemicals. You may need to clean the stopper afterward to remove any matter which as settled on it. It is good however to pour in some hot water to dissolve some stains on the walls of the drain.
⇒ By use of drain claw.
This is akin to disassembling the drain system for a thorough clean up. The steps are:
Take off the strainer and or stopper.
Either the stopper or the strainer can be used in place of another. This component is the first trap to the hair and other solid matter going in the drain tub. It has to be removed and cleaned as the first procedure. Things such as hair and soap scum are found here. Wash them out.
The drain stick.
Pushing this stick down the drain will help in opening the drain. The stick is flexible and will bend where it meets the bend. You do not, hence, have to worry about it breaking. Pull out the stick and it will come out with some of the solid matter. Repeat the process for some time.
Run the water.
This will tell you whether the tub has been opened. Repeat the process if unclogged yet.
Replace the parts.
Remember that you had taken out several components when cleaning. If it has unclogged, you will then need to replace the items in readiness for use. Avoid a clogged drain by cleaning it frequently.
Conclusion.
There are several methods of clearing a clogged tub. If one does not work out for you, you can always try another. When using chemical or hot water, you have to observe extra care. This is because both components can be harmful to the body of the user. To avoid problems of clogged tubs, ensure that you always clean the drain. It does not take long to clean it. If the problem of clogging persists, contact your plumber.