5 Steps to Whip Your Slow Draining Bathtub Back Into Shape

Is there anything more annoying than a slow draining bathtub when you’re trying to enjoy a nice hot shower? We can’t think of much. Okay, maybe there are a few things, but a slow drain really does irk us especially when we know how quickly our pros can fix the problem. Read on for a few steps that will get your tub back into quick-draining shape in no time.

1. Baking Soda and Vinegar: Remember those science experiments you did as a kid combining baking soda and vinegar to make a bubbling reaction? Those same ingredients can help clear out a clogged drain! We recommend this all-natural solution as a first step instead of draining chemicals that can corrode your pipes in the long run. To use this method, pour one cup of baking soda down the drain and let it settle for at least five minutes. Then pour a cup of white vinegar down the drain and watch as the reaction dissolves mild buildup.
2. Boiling Water: If the baking soda and vinegar mixture isn’t successful the next step to try is pouring boiling water down the drain. The hot water should dissolve the shampoo and soap buildup that occurs over time. To do this, boil a pot of water on the stove and then slowly pour it down the drain, being careful to avoid any wayward splashes or steam.
3. Plunger: The next step to try on an unrelenting clog is the plunger method. To do this add a little water to the tub and then place the plunger over the drain to create a seal before plunging many times. To create a better seal, apply a small amount of petroleum jelly to the rim of the plunger before plunging. This method may dislodge some of the contents of the drain into your tub which you will need to throw away so it doesn’t create a new clog.
4. Manual Removal: The last way to deal with a clogged drain is to remove it by hand. We recommend grabbing a good pair of gloves before trying this method. To do this, start by removing the drain cover. Drain covers come in many different styles and each one may need a different technique for removal. Look for any screws to help remove the cover and then once it is removed look down into the drain to identify the clog. Pull out any visible hair and other drain clogging materials by hand and try using a drain snake to reach things further down the drain.
5. Call in Wolcott: If these steps don’t take care of your drain or frankly if you’re too grossed out to want to do them yourself, we’ve got your back. Give us a call and we will be out to restore your drain to tip-top shape in no time.