Can I use a snake to unclog bathtub?
Luckily, it’s not difficult to snake a tub drain. To clear a clogged bathtub drain, you’ll need a plumbing snake, some work gloves and some basic cleaning supplies. Be sure to put the screws where they won’t fall into the tub drain, then pull the stopper from the drain, which should be connected to the overflow plate.
What to do if you have a clogged bathtub drain?
To use the snake, remove the overflow drain cover and any stopper assembly. Place the snake down the drain, and fill your tub a quarter full with hot water. Continue pushing the snake into the drain until it stops; this is most likely the culprit. Twist the snake while pushing up and down to work into the clog.
How do you unclog a bathtub drain with a snake?
To help you out, here is a step-by-step guide to unclog bathtub drains with a snake: The first thing you have to do is to remove the metal plate found beneath the tub faucet. This is what is called the overflow plate. Unscrew the overflow plate but be careful not drop the screws since they can be tiny.
What kind of clog does a drain snake use?
Clogs that respond best to the metal corkscrew end of the drain snake are clogs that can easily be snagged. Hair clogs are easily snagged by drain snakes.
Why is my drain snake not working properly?
But sometimes, your drain snake may not work as well as you thought. The auger cable might not be able to go down the pipe completely or if it does go down the pipe, it could fail to bring up the debris. Let you tell you why this might happen and fixes that will get your pipes running smoothly in no time.
Is it possible to snake a bathtub drain?
To snake your bathtub drain you will first need to remove the overflow plate to the tub. Behind the overflow plate, you can access the tub drain through the overflow tube. If the drain uses a lever-operated stopper, you will also need to remove the linkage running to the stopper mechanism.
Can a hand drain snake get through a clog?
Some clogs are just so dense that an ordinary hand drain snake cannot force its way through it. In this case, you have little choice but to rent a power auger, or call a plumber to do the job. However, don’t give up too soon. Being patient and not forcing the auger cable may do the trick.
What’s the best way to clear a bathtub drain?
If after trying both of these your bathtub is still clogged, the next step is to use a snake to clear the drain. A power snake with a 1/4 inch cable is the preferred choice for clearing a bathtub drain. You can rent a quality top snake or mini power snake at a tool rental place.
How long does it take for a snake to get through a pipe?
This can help the snake get through the bend in the drain. The tub drain usually ties in with the toilet mainline in less than 10 feet. If you ran more than 10 feet of cable into the pipe and did not clear the stoppage it is possible that the cable went up the vent line and not down the drain after it hit the trap.
