Fixing Shower and Bathtub Drains

You get in the shower in the morning to get ready for work. The next thing you know you're standing in water up to your ankles. This common occurrence is a sign that your drain is clogged. This may mean that your drain is just moving slowly, or it is completely clogged and not letting any water drain.

A clogged drain can often be a relatively easy problem to fix, and you can often do it yourself. One of the first things you should try when you have a slow moving or clogged drain is to remove the stopper or pop-up that holds water in the tub for baths. Once you have removed this, you'll be able to see down into the drain and may be able to identify what the problem is. If you notice hair or a clog, you can pull it out using a straightened, wire coat hanger.

If after removing the stopper or pop-up you find nothing, you can try plunging the drain. To do this, you take an ordinary plunger, such as one you would use for a toilet, and cover the drain with it (make sure you keep the stopper or pop-up out). Once you have the drain covered, fill the bathtub with enough water to cover the plunger. Make certain that you block any overflow drains with sponges or rags, and then use the plunger to create suction and loosen or force out the clog.

If after plunging for a few minutes doesn't work, you can invest in a snake. This is a tool that is flexible and can go down into the drain to remove clogs. Of course you may not want to spend the money to buy a snake from your hardware store, and your problem may be further down in the pipe than you realize. You should consider whether or not it may be worth your time and money to hire a professional plumber instead of trying to fix it yourself.

Of course, most consumers attempt to use chemical products before they call a plumber. This is not recommended for a variety of reasons. Chemical products can be harmful to you and should always be used in a well-ventilated area. However, not all bathrooms are well-ventilated. In addition, pouring chemical products down a drain that is moving slowly or not draining at all can result in chemicals remaining in the shower or bathtub or near the surface in the pipe. If you try to plunge your drain after you have poured a chemical substance down it, the substance could be plunged out and land on you, burning your skin or your eyes. In addition, chemical products can damage or ruin pipes and are harsh on your septic system, as they upset the chemical balance.

Slow-moving and clogged drains are never what people like to see when they first get up in the morning, but there are several ways you can fix the problem. Should you not be able to fix the problem, contact a plumber whose expertise will have your mornings running smoothly in no time.