How do I snake a tub drain?
#1
04-11-07, 12:57 PM
How do I snake a tub drain?
After trying all sorts of plunging and chemicals, I'm trying to snake the $%^%* thing! I can't get the drain out (foot lock) so I've taken off the overflow, but I can't get the snake to go anywhere. The pipe must be large where it bends because the snake just keeps twisting on itself. Any hints for me? Thanks, Lori
#2
04-11-07, 06:29 PM
Lori: welcome to the forums! You won't snake the drain of the tub. Take the cover off the overflow and remove the linkage, if any from the pipe. Your snake will go directly down to the drain pipe from this point.
Now, you aren't telling us what the problem is. Obviously the water is either slow to drain or is backed up in the tub. Give us the symptoms. Are your bath sink(s) also slow to drain? With a little water in the tub as it is trying to drain, if you flush a commode, are their air bubbles coming up the tub drain?
Answer these and we will get you fixed up.
Now, you aren't telling us what the problem is. Obviously the water is either slow to drain or is backed up in the tub. Give us the symptoms. Are your bath sink(s) also slow to drain? With a little water in the tub as it is trying to drain, if you flush a commode, are their air bubbles coming up the tub drain?
Answer these and we will get you fixed up.
#3
04-12-07, 07:28 AM
What the problem was...
The tub had been slow to drain for a long time.
While waiting for an answer, I did what I could as far as removing something that was in the overflow that was all rusty and gunky. Strangely enough, the tub drains fine now. Who knows, I'm just happy it's draining now.
I'm off to fix my slow draining sink now!
Thanks for the quick response!!!
Lori D.
While waiting for an answer, I did what I could as far as removing something that was in the overflow that was all rusty and gunky. Strangely enough, the tub drains fine now. Who knows, I'm just happy it's draining now.
I'm off to fix my slow draining sink now!
Thanks for the quick response!!!
Lori D.
#4
04-29-08, 12:04 PM
hi all. i am about to snake my stand up shower due to slow drainage.
When i remove the drain cover at the center of the shower, am i suppose to see any water halfway up the drain pipe? Is this trouble? im guessin this is due to clogged pipes?
Please help.
Thanks
When i remove the drain cover at the center of the shower, am i suppose to see any water halfway up the drain pipe? Is this trouble? im guessin this is due to clogged pipes?
Please help.
Thanks
#5
04-29-08, 01:37 PM
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Originally Posted by dsang88
hi all. i am about to snake my stand up shower due to slow drainage.
When i remove the drain cover at the center of the shower, am i suppose to see any water halfway up the drain pipe? Is this trouble? im guessin this is due to clogged pipes?
Please help.
Thanks
When i remove the drain cover at the center of the shower, am i suppose to see any water halfway up the drain pipe? Is this trouble? im guessin this is due to clogged pipes?
Please help.
Thanks
DIY Plumber - Shower-Receptor Installation
This is normal, the water is there to form a "seal", and keep sewer gases from backing up into the house through the drain.
#7
02-19-09, 04:36 PM
Originally Posted by chandler
Lori: welcome to the forums! You won't snake the drain of the tub. Take the cover off the overflow and remove the linkage, if any from the pipe. Your snake will go directly down to the drain pipe from this point.
Now, you aren't telling us what the problem is. Obviously the water is either slow to drain or is backed up in the tub. Give us the symptoms. Are your bath sink(s) also slow to drain? With a little water in the tub as it is trying to drain, if you flush a commode, are their air bubbles coming up the tub drain?
Answer these and we will get you fixed up.
Now, you aren't telling us what the problem is. Obviously the water is either slow to drain or is backed up in the tub. Give us the symptoms. Are your bath sink(s) also slow to drain? With a little water in the tub as it is trying to drain, if you flush a commode, are their air bubbles coming up the tub drain?
Answer these and we will get you fixed up.
What do you mean when you say "You won't snake the drain of the tub."? I have a Ridgid SeeSnake that I use for electrical work, I was hoping I could push that into the drain to see what the obstruction is. So you are saying that my only option is to go thru the overflow?
Thanks!
#8
02-20-09, 03:49 AM
The drain immediately turns 90 degrees into a tee. That tee goes both up to the overflow and down to the drain. The likelihood you will be able to make both 90 degree turns and do any good is minimal. That is why I said you won't snake the DRAIN of the tub, but you can snake the overflow. If you take the overflow cover off, you can run the snake or camera directly down into the ptrap and on to the clog. Hope this helps.
#9
02-20-09, 05:53 AM
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I bought one of these a few years back and it dose a great job of getting hair and junk out of the tub and sink drains
Amazon.com: Cobra Products 400 Zip-It Drain Cleaning Tool: Home Improvement
BTW how do you like the see snake , Ive been thinking of getting one
Amazon.com: Cobra Products 400 Zip-It Drain Cleaning Tool: Home Improvement
BTW how do you like the see snake , Ive been thinking of getting one
#10
02-20-09, 10:14 AM
chandler, I see. Thanks!
mango man, I like it a lot. For $200 it's a good deal, it already paid for itself as far as I'm concerned. I was able to use it to make a couple of horizontal wire pulls thru existing holes that I would never have known were there without the snake camera. FWIW, there is a better model available now with features that you might be interested in (such as auto level, people seem to love that) but it's $500-600 if I remember correctly.
mango man, I like it a lot. For $200 it's a good deal, it already paid for itself as far as I'm concerned. I was able to use it to make a couple of horizontal wire pulls thru existing holes that I would never have known were there without the snake camera. FWIW, there is a better model available now with features that you might be interested in (such as auto level, people seem to love that) but it's $500-600 if I remember correctly.
#11
01-25-10, 01:50 PM
One thing to keep in mind in older houses is that there might be a drum trap. If so you can't get at the problem by going through the overflow. Look for a cover on the floor in the bathroom or a closet behind the tub.
