How to Fix Clogged Bathroom Drain Plugs

Bathroom drain plugs can become clogged quite easily, and when they do you're faced with a potentially unsanitary and unpleasant condition in the bathroom. Drain clogs can lead to rot and other problems that may look and smell bad, as well as cause damage to your health. What's more, drains may be clogged by a wide variety of objects. One of the most common causes of clogged drains in the bathtub, for instance, is matted or built-up hair. Whatever the cause of your clogged drain, follow these steps to ensure that you help the water to flow smoothly once again.

Step 1 - Gather Your Materials

Because unclogging a bathroom drain may take a few different steps or approaches, it is best to have all of the following materials on hand before you begin your project:

• Plumber's snake
• Plunger
• Screwdriver
• Pliers
• Wire coat hanger or other length of flexible, sturdy wire

Depending upon the type of drain and the severity of the clog, you may or may not need to use all of these items.

Step 2 - Examine the Drain for Signs of Blockage

The first step towards unclogging a bathroom drain is to examine it closely for signs of blockage. In some cases, the item that is preventing water from flowing properly is easy to spot without opening up the drain at all. If this is the case, use the wire coat hanger to remove as much of the blockage as possible.

Step 3 - Use a Plunger

The next step is to attempt to clean the drain with a plunger. If a wire coat hanger isn't sufficient to remove the blockage, or if it is lodged too deep within the drain for you to reach by hand, a plunger can help to dislodge it and bring it to the surface of the drain.

Step 4 - Use a Plumber's Snake

If the previous methods do not work to unclog your drain, you may have to resort to a plumber's snake. Snakes are typically available in lengths of up to 25 feet and work by winding through the length of the drain pipe, forcibly dislodging any buildup or blockages along the way.

Wherever the drain is, you'll have to push the plumber's snake through the main drain outlet. On a bathtub, for instance, this requires that you use a screwdriver to remove the faceplate on the lever system above the drain. You can then run the snake through the bathtub overflow pipe that lies underneath the faceplate. Be sure to follow the instructions on the plumber's snake carefully as you do so that you do not damage the drain pipe at all. Most snakes require that you twist them as you push them through the pipe. Be prepared for a bit of resistance as you push the snake through the piping, especially when you run into the blockage. Once you've reached the end of the pipe, withdraw the snake from the pipe and ensure that you collected all of the blockage.