Which is the secret of keeping the bathtub drain clean? It is a simple secret maintain the tub on a regular basis. Make a routine for example and stick to it. The mistake is to wait until the water can’t move to start the unclogging process. Look out for the signs that the drain has partial clogging and take action.
The good thing about resolving the clog before it renders the tub useless is that you will be able to avoid paying extra dollars. Once you call the plumber and you have no option, they will be at liberty to overcharge you.
The signs of a clogged drain are, the drain taking longer to get rid of all the waters. At some point, you will start experiencing some foul odors that result from the accumulating water. The number one cause for the clogging will always be body hairs. The idea is to get means to get rid of the hairs and avoid soap buildup.
You Have Got Options When It Comes To Getting Rid Of The Hairs.
Organic Options
Baking Soda And Vinegar
The organic option allows you to use what you have at disposal in your kitchen. As with all the procedures, this one will also start with removing the strainer and the stopper. The first step is to boil about three liters of waters. Once the water boils, pour it down the drain.
The boiled water alone could work the trick. If it doesn’t work, you are not done yet. Mix in 4:1 proportions, a cup of white vinegar and a quarter cup of baking soda and pour into the drain. Allow it to sit for a minimum fifteen minutes. After fifteen minutes, pour more boiled water to accelerate the reaction.
Finally, flush the bathtub to test how effective the exercise was. Return the strainer and the stopper in place, and you are good.
Salt And Baking Soda
Mix salt and baking soda in equal proportions. A half cup salt and half cup baking soda will be sufficient. Pour into the drain and as with baking soda and vinegar allow it to sit for approximately 15 minutes. After the fifteen minutes pour boiled water into the drain, the mixture disintegrates the materials causing the clog.
Chemical Options
Before settling on any of the chemicals, it is important that you check the type of pipes that complete the plumbing work. A wrong choice of chemicals and you will wish you called a professional plumber. It would be appropriate to check the chemical cleaner that is specific to bathtubs.
As a precaution always handle the chemicals while you are wearing gloves. Also, you should ensure that there are no spills. Aim straight into the drain. The chemical cleaner will work most effectively if you get rid of all the water stagnating in the tub. The manufacturer will direct you on how long you should allow the chemicals to sit before flushing the chemical down the drain.
Caustic soda, better known as sodium hydroxide also reacts to break down the gunk. Caustic soda could be dangerous so handle with caution. Mix the caustic soda with cold water and stir with a material that will not react with the caustic soda. I prefer any wooden stirrer. Then pour it into the drain and allow to sit for some minutes. Finally, flush using boiled water.
Mechanical Options
Removing the strainer and cleaning up
You will require removing the strainer as some materials accumulate underneath the strainer. You will need a screwdriver for the strainers that secure using a screw. Next, remove the stopper. Then, you thoroughly clean both the strainer and the stopper, and the materials around where they sit.
To reach further down the drain use a drain stick. The drain stick is flexible and flexes all the way down the drain. It comprises of hooks that hold the materials that cause the clogging. The last step is putting the strainer and the stopper back in place.
Using a plunger
A plunger is the same that comes much in handy in the toilet just that this one will be specifically for the bathtub. This method requires that you as well remove the stopper and the strainer. Make sure to clean both the stopper and the strainer carefully.
The next step, fill up the bathtub for the plunger to create the appropriate suction. You can tell the success rate by checking for materials on the tub. Also, you could check the progress by watching the movement of the water down the drain. If the rate of drainage increases you did it.
Note
Before you give yourself all the trouble of carrying out the above procedures, check the stopper and the strainer first. If the clog is in the early stages, a minor cleaning exercise will solve the clogging. After cleaning the two components, flush to see if it was effective. If cleaning the strainer and stopper does not work then proceed with the above procedures.
How To Prevent The Clogging
By embracing these practices, clogging will never be one of your problems. The first practice will involve pouring hot water through the drain on a regular basis. Hot water loosens the materials that cause clogging for easy flushing down the drain.
If the hot water is not helping, then a hair catcher will do. A hair catcher simplifies the whole ordeal. All that you will be required to do is removing the air catcher and getting rid of the hairs.
Final Verdict
After each one of the above exercises, clean the bathtub using clean water. Make sure to leave it sparkling clean. These methods will help you with keeping the bathtub drain clean and out of clogging. It is not guaranteed that these methods will work, they do most of the times. If these methods do not work seek professional help. At least you will have given it your best shot.