A Pain to Drain: Why Your Bathtub Takes Forever to Drain

The slow glug-glug-glug of a tub that simply won't drain quickly isn't what you want to hear when stepping out of your bath or shower, especially when you can't see anything visible clogging it. Don't ignore your slow tub drain, though. There may be a deeper problem in the drain that needs to be fixed so your drainage system can perform its best.

This May Also Interest You: Why You Have Slow Hot Water Flow and How to Fix It

Why Is My Tub Taking Forever to Drain?

When you're faced with a tub that's not draining water, clogs are usually the culprit. If you can't see any visible clog but the tub won't drain, there might be a clog deeper in the pipes leading from the tub to the main sewer system.

Bathtub drainage pipes have a U-shaped section called the P-trap, which normally functions to prevent sewer gases and odors from traveling up the pipe. Debris trapped in this section could cause a backup of water that leads to slow drainage.

Sometimes the drain isn't completely clogged but has buildup along the sides that slows the flow. Hair and soap scum can cling to the sides of pipes and narrow the space available for water to flow. Mineral buildup can also impede the flow of drain water, especially if your area has hard water.

There might also be a deeper issue in your plumbing. Shifting ground might have affected your pipes, causing a misalignment or break that leads to a drainage backup. Tree roots invading your underground drain pipes can also cause drainage issues.

In some cases, the answer to your slow-draining tub problem is much simpler: An adjustable tub stopper or drain plug that slips to cover the drain completely or limit the flow of water from the tub could lead to slow drainage. Replacing the stopper could fix the problem completely.

Speeding Up a Slow Bathtub Drain

Use a Drain Snake

The quickest and easiest slow bathtub drain fix is a drain snake. Also known as a drain auger, it's a mechanical device that tunnels into the pipe to manually break up unseen clogs. A drain auger has a long cable with a spring or auger at the tip that tears through clogs. A crank on the handle lets you control the action of the drain snake. You can find hand-cranked or electric drain snakes at hardware stores.

Kitchen Hacks

If you want a DIY method for your slow-draining bathtub, hot water or a simple mix of baking soda and vinegar might do the trick. Hot water breaks up soap or greasy substances caught in the drain, so you might be able to melt away any buildup with a quick pour from your trusty teapot.

Alternately, pour a half-cup of baking soda and a cup of white vinegar into the drain and let the mixture bubble up for about 30 minutes before flushing the drain with hot water.

If All Else Fails ...

If home remedies don't fix your tub drain, it may be time to call a plumber. Some issues, such as deep clogs, misaligned pipes and roots growing into your plumbing, aren't things you can fix yourself.

A plumber can inspect the entire drainage system using a sewer camera or acoustic detectors. After locating the problem, they might use a hydro jet that sends a pressurized stream of water through the pipe to remove any obstructions.

More Related Articles:

• Snake’s in a Drain! How to Unclog Your Sink With a Drain Snake

• Checked Your Storm Drains Lately? Here’s a List of Maintenance Tasks

• Prevent Frozen-Pipe Problems by Knowing These Things Down Cold

• Pipe Burst? Here’s What to Do Next

• Au Revoir, Standing Water! How to Install a French Drain in 8 Steps

Preventing Slow Draining in a Bathtub

Once you've cleared your slow-draining tub, take steps to prevent future clogs. A simple drain strainer or drain cover can trap hair and small particles to prevent them from creating a clog deep inside the pipe.

Regular flushing with hot water or vinegar and baking soda gets rid of mild buildup that could lead to future deep clogs. Doing a simple flush once a month is often sufficient to prevent tub drainage issues.

Avoid pouring cosmetics or greasy substances down the drain because these can build up inside the pipes. You might also consider installing a whole-home water softener if you have hard water. This helps reduce the risk of mineral buildup in pipes.