Remove Soap Scum from Your Drain to Prevent Clogs

In homes with older plumbing, trying to remove soap scum to prevent drain clogs can be a battle. Follow these tips to remove soap scum from the drain.

Step 1: Use a Chemical Clog Reducer

Open the drain stopper fully and clear any standing water with a bell plunger. Pour in chemical clog reducer following the instructions. Wait 2-3 hours, and do not put anything down the drain. Run hot then cold water down the drain for 1 minute each to test if the clog is gone.

Step 2: Remove the Drain Stopper and Use a Drain Snake

Detach the drain stopper and insert the drain snake as far down the pipe as you can. Turn its handle, then extract it and rinse it off into a bucket. Test the drain flow again by first running hot, then cold water for 1 minute total.

Step 3: Replace the Drain Stopper

If the soap scum clog recurs soon after clearing, replace the pull-up drain stopper with a simple rubber drain plug on a stainless steel chain.

Step 4: Check and Replace the Pipes

If your house has metal plumbing pipes, upgrade to PVC pipes.