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Are you tired of dealing with clogged bathtub drains caused by pesky hairballs? It’s a common problem that can result in costly plumbing expenses – but fear not! In this article, we’ll show you how to keep your drains free of hair and running smoothly.
From simple preventative measures to easy DIY solutions, we’ll explore a variety of ways to keep hair from finding its way down your drain. So whether you’re a long-haired beauty or just looking to maintain a healthy drain, read on to discover our top tips for how to get hair out of bathtub drain.
How To Get Hair Out Of Bathtub Drain
Let us get one thing straight before delving into this. The best way to prevent hair clogs in our drain is by avoiding a buildup of hair. The more hair that finds its way down the drain, the more the buildup and possibility of a complete blockage.
Now, let’s quickly look at how to get hair out of bathtub drain:
See Also: Can Epsom Salt Damage Bathtub?
1. Use a Hair Removal Tool To Get Hair Out of The Bathtub Drain
You may have come across this before without knowing what it is used for. By hair removal tool, we are referring to a piece of plastic that bends easily and has got sharp teeth around its sides.
You will find them sold in multiples because they are sort of disposables. Most people would prefer disposing of them along with the hair they come up with. If you are unfamiliar with the tool, we will be outlining below, how to make use of it.
Remember to put on some protective gloves before you handle the tool as the teeth all around the edges are sharp and can dig into your flesh.
Step 1: Place The Tool Inside The Drain
For you to do this, you will, first of all, need to take out the bathtub stopper. Hold the handle found at the top of the tool very strongly as you fix it.
Once you have placed it in the tool, see that the whole of it, down to its end, goes into the drain. By doing so, you will feel the tool touching the clog, and continue to tug at it, Pushing it up and down continuously.
Step 2: Pull Out The Hair Removal Tool
You have to be careful when doing this and pull it out very slowly. The reason is that the clumps of hair would be clipped to the tool and aggressive shaking may cause it to fall back.
Once you have the tool out, you can easily get the hair out of it using a paper towel. An even more convenient way is to just dispose of the entire tool with the hair clipped on it. You know that this exercise is successful if the hair removal tool comes out with hair clinging to it. If no hair accompanies it, repeat the process.
However, there are cases in which the clog can be found way lower in the pipe, out of the reach of the tool. Do not worry, we’ve got just the thing you need to clear those lower clogs in the drain pipe too.
2. Use a Drain Snake To Remove Hair From Bathtub Drain
What a hair removal tool cannot do, a drain snake will do. They are firmer, stronger, and more effective in getting rid of clogs in the bathtub drain. Drain snakes are in cable-like form, curled inside of a drum, longer and more flexible to reach down to the lower drain.
They can get 25ft down the drain and at the tip is a metal screw that drags out the clog.
The mode of usage can be found below:
Step 1: Take Out The Bathtub Stopper
You would need to take out the bathtub stopper for the drain snake to gain access to the drain pipe.
Some people may tell you to bail out standing water, but we’ll say that it does not matter. The tool can very much work through standing water.
Step 2: Put In The Drain Snake
Remember the tip that has got a metal corkscrew? That’s the part that should be inserted into the drain.
Keep on pushing it downwards until you feel a tug. It is at this point that you should tighten the thumbscrew that can be found on the drum.
Hold the handle on the drum very firmly and begin to turn it severally to get a good hold of the clog.
Once you have gotten the clog, slowly pull the drain snake back up out of the drain. Take out the hairball found on it with a paper towel and dispose of it carefully. Then, put back the cable into the snake drum.
3. Use a Liquid Drain Opener To Get Hair Out Of Bathtub Drain
There are so many commercial liquid drain openers in the market, but we will advise that you go for one that is safe for use on plumbing materials. If you are unsure, your plumber will be in a good position to recommend some for you.
Another thing to note before handling products like this is that you have to protect yourself first.
Put on some protective gloves and eyewear to prevent the substance from affecting your skin or splashing into your eye.
Liquid drain openers work by dissolving the hair and soap scrum. It is quite a slow process but never disappoints in getting the job done.
A downside of this method is that it is most effective for clogs that are not so serious or deep down the drain pipe.
Find below the simple method of application:
Step 1: Yank Out The Stopper
Just like every other method on this list, you will have to remove the bathtub stopper first.
The next thing after that will be to remove standing water if there is any. You can take it out with a bucket or use a mop stick to mop it all out.
Step 2: Pour In The Liquid Drain Cleaner Into The Drain
This does not in any way mean that you should just pour any amount you feel like. The exercise can only be successful if you follow the right measurement of usage, which can be found specified on the label of the product.
As you pour, be careful and avoid it spilling to other sides of the bathtub. If it will help, make use of a funnel. After pouring in the liquid, allow it to sit for some time.
To know the exact time you are to leave it for, consult once more, the directions for use stated on the product’s label and make sure you follow them to the letter.
Step 3: Use Hot Water To Flush In The Drain
Once the time in which you are to allow the chemical to sit in the drain has elapsed, pour in very hot water to flush the drain.
By now, the clog must have been completely cleared, but if it hasn’t, repeat the process, but this time, allow the solution to work for a much longer time.
Lastly, we will recommend calling on a professional to help you out with stubborn and more complicated clogs that cannot be solved with any of the above-mentioned instruments.
It is better to call on them than to try to work it out on your own and cause even bigger problems for yourself.
Conclusion
Do you know that by simply cleaning the bathtub stopper after each use and disposing of the hairs found on it, you can keep hair out of your bathtub drain and avoid a clog?
Simple care practices like that will see you never need a plumber for a long time.
Ensuring that your bathtub always has a bathtub stopper fixed and brushing out your hair before going into the bathtub will see it remain clog free.
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