Preventing a Clogged Bathtub Drain

We can all agree, there’s nothing like taking a nice shower where the water goes down the drain without a problem. When you’re taking a shower and suddenly you’re ankle-deep in dirty water, not so nice.

Unfortunately, a clogged bathtub or shower drain is one pesky problem that every homeowner will eventually experience. We have good news: the majority of shower and bathtub clogs can be prevented with proper maintenance.

The truth is that bathtub clogs don’t happen overnight, they build up gradually until one day your bathtub is filled with several inches of dirty water that won’t drain. By following the below tips, you can prevent a bathtub clog before it begins:

Use a Hair Trap or Drain Cover

One of the main causes of clogged bathtub drains is hair. However, this can be easily prevented with an inexpensive hair trap or drain cover. Both human hair and pet hair have a tendency to forming a matted clog that gets entangled around the internal chain that controls the drain stopper.

By investing in a shower drain cover, you’ve got a cheap solution that can prevent costly plumbing repairs, and reduce the frequency of drain clogs. A simple drain cover can also prevent small items such as razor caps, hairbands, and tiny toys from falling down the drainpipe and causing major problems.

We recommend getting a hair trap with a fine mesh screen that will prevent hair and debris from clogging up your drain.

Avoid Pouring Bad Stuff Down the Drain

Drains are much like arteries, as time goes by they are susceptible to narrowing pipes, fine debris, and particles, especially if you have an older home.

Older homes with outdated plumbing are prone to clogged drains, thus, homeowners should avoid emptying mop buckets, and other liquids that are laden with dust, dirt, toxic chemicals, lint, and pet hair that clog sensitive or aging drain pipes.

Try an Eco-Friendly Drain Cleaner

Instead of using a harsh drain cleaner that can damage the drains, try an eco-friendly alternative made of 1/2 cup vinegar, followed with 1/2 cup of baking soda. After one hour, pour a pot of boiling water down the drain. For more cleaning power, you can use a pipe snake to clear out a stubborn clog.

If you are experiencing recurring clogs, and the above suggestions are not producing desired results, it’s time to call on a professional Austin plumber to diagnose and repair the problem.

At Excalibur Plumbing, we have cameras and all of the tools necessary to remove trapped debris and foreign objects so your drains can get back in tip-top shape!