Why Is My Bathtub Draining Slowly?

No one likes a sluggish drain in their bathtub. Such a household inconvenience is typically met with cries of “Oh, great!” or even “Again?!” if it’s a constant problem. Whether it’s an unusual or typical event in your home, a slow draining tub needs to be addressed before it affects the tub finish or even causes a flood from burst pipes. So, what could be causing this slow-moving disaster? Let’s take a look.

Clogs

The most common reason for a slow-draining bathtub is a clog. The slowdown is typically not sudden but occurs over time, steadily getting slower and slower until there’s no draining at all. The faster you take care of the cause, the less damage and frustration you’ll face. Soap, hair, and waste can accumulate and won’t get better on their own. If you’ve got kids, there may even be a tub toy in the mix. 

Clogs can be minor and easily fixed by taking out the drain plug and removing any blockages you see. However, there are more extensive clogs that may require a professional. 

Home Remedies

For clogs that can’t be cleared at the drain, there are drain solutions available at your local hardware store that can help. 

• Use a drain snake — a manually extendable and retractable contraption that allows you to feed a cable into the drain to snag the clog.
• Whip up a batch of homemade solution of equal parts vinegar and baking soda. Pour one half cup baking soda followed by one half cup vinegar down the drain. Flush with one gallon of boiling water. 
• Commercial drain cleaners can dissolve clogs occurring in the bathroom pipes. Use with care and be sure to follow the instructions on the packaging.

After solving the issue of clogs, if the damage done to your fixtures or drains is beyond repair, replace them with high-quality options available at Kingston Brass.