What works best to unclog a bathtub drain?

Best Overall Drain Cleaner: Drano Max Gel Liquid Clog Remover. Best Drain Cleaner for Hair Clogs: Liquid Plumr Clog Destroyer + Hair Clog Eliminator. Best Single-Use Drain Cleaner: Green Gobbler Drain Opening Pacs. Best Enzymatic Drain Cleaner: Bio Clean.

Can I snake my own drain? For smaller clogs, snaking your own drain is possible. Routine, minor sink clogs from hairballs or food remnants are typically located in the U-shaped trap directly below the sink or only a few feet deeper in the drainpipe. They may be cleared by using a light-gauge, hand-operated auger.

What kind of snake do plumbers use? A standard household drain snake, sometimes called a drum snake or top snake, is the smallest of the drain-clearing augers. It is primarily used for clogs in tubs, showers, bathroom sinks, washing machines, and sometimes kitchens sinks. Most have a 25- or 50-foot cable with a corkscrew tip for snagging debris.

How much does a snake for a drain cost? How much does it cost for a plumber to snake a drain? According to HomeAdvisor, the average cost to have a drain professionally snaked is $220, with a range of $136 to $305.

Can a drain snake break a pipe? Drain Snakes Can Damage Pipes While billed as devices that are easy to use by anyone and everyone, drain snakes can be hard to manage, and if used improperly, can damage pipes. Old pipes in many homes are galvanized, or coated in zinc, which was done to prevent the pipe from rusting or corroding.

Should I use Drano or a snake? While a snake is helpful for dislodging a clog that is located close to the drain (within a foot or so), a snake is best used to deal with an immediate drain clog. If grease, hair and gunk has been collecting on the inside of older, corroding pipes, a snake isn’t going to be much help.

What works best to unclog a bathtub drain? – Related Questions

How do you snake a bathtub drain?

What’s the strongest thing to unclog a drain?

Best Overall: Drano Max Gel Clog Remover This popular drain cleaner works effectively on different drains and disposals—whether in your bathroom, kitchen, laundry room, or garage. This highly concentrated formula works in about seven minutes and can remove even the toughest grime buildup from your drains.

Is it worth buying a drain snake?

First of all, a drain snake is a good item to keep handy in a home. A basic hand-crank drain snake (a.k.a. a drain auger) is a much better option for getting rid of a minor clog than resorting to chemical drain cleaners. In fact, you should never use these chemicals on your drains!

How do you unclog a drain if a snake doesn’t work?

Can you use a snake on a bathtub?

What can I use instead of a drain snake?

If you don’t have a drain snake at your home, you can use a pipe cleaner, a straightened clothes hanger, or make this simple tool out of a plastic bottle: Start with an empty 2-liter plastic bottle.

How much does it cost to unclog a bathtub?

According to HomeAdvisor, the typical cost to clear a clogged drain is between $133 and $295, with an average cost of $201. These costs are split between parts and labor – with the latter costing between $45 and $150 an hour, depending on the professional and the region.

How often should you snake your drain?

ANNUALLY. Even if you don’t notice any specific signs that your drains are having trouble with clogs, you should do your best to have them cleaned at least once every year.

How long does it take to snake a drain?

How Long Does It Take To Snake A Drain? Plumbers take about five minutes to snake a drain for clogs located near the tub, toilet, or sink. Main line sewer clogs can take hours to snake, depending on the length and number of pipes affected.

When should I snake my drain?

Use a drain snake when your sink, shower, or tub drain is draining slowly or is not draining at all due to soft clogs located up to 15 to 25 feet down the line. Snaking or augering a drain can often solve water drainage problems that cannot be cured by chemicals, plunging, or by using a plastic hair snake.

How do you clean a slow drain?

Pour one-half cup baking soda into the drain followed by one-half cup white vinegar; the fizzing and bubbling reaction helps to break up small clogs. Block the drain using a small rag so the chemical reaction doesn’t all bubble up out. Wait 15 minutes.

Why did Drano make a clog worse?

The chemicals in Drano may not solve all clogs, and they can lead to a worsening of pipe issues. Drano can build up in a clogged area, and corrode the pipe. With repeated use, these chemicals may eat their way through a pipe, and cause a leak or a collapse of the system.

How do you snake a shower drain with a plastic snake?

Can’t get snake past trap tub?

So, why won’t your drain snake go down the bathtub drain? The answer may be that you are either using the wrong kind of drain snake, or you are trying to force it through a P-trap, or you are forcing the snake cable through the pipe too quickly or the clog is just too darn big.

How do you unblock a slow draining bathtub?

What liquid do plumbers use to unclog drains?

Hydrochloric acid, also known as muriatic acid, is the most common acid used by plumbers to unclog drains.

What dissolves hair in a drain?

Use Baking Soda & Vinegar Before Plunging It Out: Baking soda and vinegar can be an extremely effective way of dispatching many clogs, and hair clogs are no exception. For best results, start by squirting a little dish soap into your drain, followed by a cup of vinegar and a cup of baking soda.

What household items clear a clogged drain?

Pour 1/2 cup baking soda, followed by 1/2 cup vinegar down drain. Plug drain, and let sit for one hour. Then, pour a pot of boiling water down drain. Repeat if necessary.

Can a drain snake break a PVC pipe?

If the bottom of the pipe or fittings are missing this can cause the snake to catch and break the pipe. It can also cause the equipment to get stuck. Broken PVC pipe is another issue with drains.

What is the difference between an auger and a snake?

Drain snakes work for smaller drains like your kitchen or bathroom sink. Drain augers tackle larger pipes like your toilet or shower drain.

What happens if a plumber can’t unclog a drain?

If your plumber snake isn’t clearing the clog properly, try: Cleaning the drain snake. If you haven’t cleaned it since using it last, the old clog may still be embedded on the corkscrew end. You must clean this end for it to be effective.

Can plunging make a clog worse?

Attempting to force a clog through a toilet with a plunger can often make the problem worse. Instead, create a seal and slowly push down on the plunger before pulling it back sharply. The suction can help pull the clog back up toward the bowl, breaking the blockage and allowing gravity to take over.

How much does a plumber cost to unclog a drain?

Nationwide, the average cost to clean a clogged drain is $130-$180. This covers both the cost to find the clog and clear the drain. Most plumbing companies will charge a flat rate of $50 – $150 to come out, which also covers the first hour of work.

Can you snake a sink drain?

With the trap and trap arm removed, you can access the drain pipe to snake the bathroom sink drain. To run the drain snake, position yourself with the snake close to the opening of the drain pipe. For a bathroom sink drain, you should be fine using a top snake unless it is a particularly tough clog.

How much does it cost to have roto rooter snake a drain?

Hiring a Roto-Rooter professional for drain-clearing services costs between $160 and $450. This fee generally includes the price of the sewer inspection as well as the drain clearing.

How do you snake a drain without a snake?

How much does a plumber cost to unclog a drain?

Nationwide, the average cost to clean a clogged drain is $130-$180. This covers both the cost to find the clog and clear the drain. Most plumbing companies will charge a flat rate of $50 – $150 to come out, which also covers the first hour of work.