How to unblock a bathtub

The drainage system of a bathtub is usually tucked away beneath the bath itself. This means you generally won't be able to remove the waste as you would with a wash basin or sink.

To unblock the bathtub, you'll therefore have to work from above and remove the blockage via the drain. Among the most common culprits for blocked bathtubs are:

• hair;

• greasy residue from bath products, shower gel and shaving foam;

• sand (in coastal homes);

• any other object that you might have accidentally dropped in the bathtub.

Steps

1. Removing the drain cover

2. Removing easy and hard-to-reach material

3. Checking drainage, plunging and pouring down hot water

4. Using a chemical unblocker

5. Replacing the drain cover and checking the water flow

Required skills

Unblocking a bathtub should be a relatively straightforward task; no particular skills are required.

Time required

15 to 45 minutes

Number of people required

1

Tools and equipment

• Chemical unblocker

• Bucket

• Plunger

• Metal coat hanger

• Flat-nose pliers

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

• Safety goggles

• Protective gloves

• Cotton clothing with long sleeves

• Mask (if using chemicals)

Please note: this is a non-exhaustive list; be sure to match your personal protective equipment to the job at hand.

Remove the drain cover if possible. If your drain is equipped with a strainer, this part can usually be lifted out. However, it may be screwed into the drain itself.

In this case, unscrew the component by hand. Take out the strainer and remove any hair or other debris contained within.

Remove any material that is sitting in the drain itself. It's messy and slimy, but it has to be done! This is what is preventing the water from draining, so it's essential to remove of the material as much as possible.

You can then proceed to removing any material that you cannot reach by hand. Use a pair of flat-nosed pliers to grab the rest or get a metal coat hanger. Unbend the coat hanger and form a small hook at one end. Feed it through the plug until you reach the waste trap. Grab as much material as possible and start to turn the hanger. In theory, the blockage should wrap around the wire hanger. Pull the coat hanger out and you should remove the blockage.

Repeat the process until there's nothing for the coat hanger to cling on to. This technique is particularly effective for grabbing any material that's difficult to see or access, such as built-up hair (which is usually responsible for bathtub blockages).

Run the water and check that it is draining properly. It is possible that part of the blockage still remains so you will have to finish it off with a few more tactics.

Position a plunger over the drain and plunge vigorously to get the rest of the blockage moving. More likely than not, you've probably also got a build-up of greasy material lining your pipes.

Boil some water and pour it down the drain; the hot water should help to liquefy the residue and drain it away.

If the blockage is still not going away, you can always use a chemical drain cleaner or unblocker (usually containing caustic soda) to tackle any stubborn debris.

This type of product usually comes in liquid or crystal form. Be careful: these products are hazardous to health and require the use of protective gloves, safety goggles and a mask.

Make sure to read all instructions carefully. Pour the product down the drain and wait for 15 to 30 minutes. It's also worth mentioning that chemical unblockers are often very harmful to the environment.

There are many environmentally friendly alternatives such as bicarbonate of soda and white vinegar.

• Simply mix 200 g of bicarb with 200 ml of white vinegar.

• Pour this down the drain.

• Leave the solution to work for 15 to 30 minutes.

At this point, your drainage system should be clean and ready for action again.

Replace your drain cover and check that your water is draining correctly. Your water should flow quickly and there shouldn't be any water build-up in the bathtub. If this is the case – congratulations! You have officially resolved your bathtub blockage.

Most of the time, blockages don't happen overnight. To stop it from happening again, here's how to recognise the signs:

• the water is draining away slower than normal;

• water is entering the bathtub;

• the pipes are making a gurgling sound.

It's important to act as soon as these first signs appear. Remember: it's always easier to treat the problem when there is still some water drainage rather than wait until the drain is completely blocked.