Bunged up bath

[beatlejuice]

Okay it’s off to town I go to buy some of these drain unblockers.

 

[rockyroller]

how I free up our tub drain
remove strainer w/o losing screw down the drain
clean strainer & screw & put aside
using 2 devices, a cut & bent coat hanger & long thin plastic tool for the purpose

remove hair & sludge buildup manually
this takes a while & can be pretty gross
pull it out, wrap it in paper towel, throw it out
then & only then do I use drain declogger products, like the drain-o gel type
before pouring it in tho I get a bucket & fill it with hot water & set it aside
pour in 1/2 bottle of the declogger & wait. at least as long as the instructions say, sometimes another 5 minutes
then dump in the hot water from a height giving it a little more push
& turn on tub faucet w/ more hot water
let that drain
repeat

that usually does the trick for us

add a tiny drop of anti seize on the strainer screw then wipe it down well
replace strainer & screw, do not over tighten
we had 1 episode many years ago, the first time I had to do this, where the screw was rusted in place & broke when I tried to unscrew it
then I had to drill out the remaining portion & tap that threaded hole & buy a new screw
so now I take great care with that little screw, not to lose it, to keep it clean, make sure it has a trace amount of lube & don't over tighten it

good luck!

 

[simon_adams_uk]

As above ^

I've always used a spare spoke (this a cycle forum after all...) to pull out the majority of the gunk and then used chemicals to properly clean out the rest.

 

[matticus]

We got an unblocker "kit" a few years ago. A bottle of the usual caustic gel type unblocker plus a flexible plastic wire with a handle and several moulded hooks. The liquid was standard stuff but the wire thing is great. The idea is you feed it down the hole into the U and pull it back and the hooks bring back all the clag. Especially effective with long hair (i.e. my daughter's)

Those things are amazing for something so simple/cheap!

 

[fossyant]

Drain unblocker first. I once had to use a compressed air unblocker (comes as a kit) as I'd put too much rice down the sink by accident. Was solid.

 

[vickster]

Drain unblocker first. I once had to use a compressed air unblocker (comes as a kit) as I'd put too much rice down the sink by accident. Was solid.

In the bath?!

 

[PaulSB]

We have a very shallow fall in both the bath and shower rooms. I use drain cleaner every three months. Prevention is better than cure.

 

[fossyant]

In the bath?!

 

[mistyoptic]

Afterwards, something like this to prevent recurrence

https://www.lakeland.co.uk/23108/oxo-good-grips-large-sink-plug-hole-strainer-guard

 

[beatlejuice]

I tried to put some Slam plughole unblocked down the bath drain. But since I can't get the water out it was a bit of a fail. It appears that the u bend is particularly tight. I've tried all sorts including a brake cable, to get to the blockage to no avail. I have a horrible feeling that some disassembly of the side panel is called for.

 

[beatlejuice]

I can see a problem there... Jut saying.. 😋

Indeed I am not looking forward to have that in my mouth.

 

[biggs682]

Unblocking waste pipe's is something that sticks in your memory for quite a while as the amount of sludge never ceases to amaze me.

Get the kids to help you then they will be more careful about drainage ☺️

 

[matticus]

Get the kids to help you then they will be more careful about drainage ☺️

Careful what you wish for:

 

[T4tomo]

I tried to put some Slam plughole unblocked down the bath drain. But since I can't get the water out it was a bit of a fail. It appears that the u bend is particularly tight. I've tried all sorts including a brake cable, to get to the blockage to no avail. I have a horrible feeling that some disassembly of the side panel is called for.

get as much water out as you can - you can use a cloth to soak and wring out the last bits (do not start sucking up drain unblocking chemicals) and then have another go with the Slam.

 

[figbat]

Having access to under the bath is always a good idea so maybe now's a good time to roll up your sleeves and sort it out? Then at least if a tap fails or a pipe leaks you can be under there in moments rather than days.