Bathtub drain clogged: how to clear it

A slow or standing tub is almost always a hair clog close to the surface. You can often clear it in minutes without chemicals.

Step by step

1. Remove the stopper. Many lift-and-turn or push-pull stoppers unscrew; trip-lever stoppers come out with the overflow plate.
2. Clean it. Pull off hair and soap buildup.
3. Use a plastic drain tool to hook hair out of the drain opening.
4. Plunge. Cover the overflow opening with a wet cloth, add a few inches of water, and plunge firmly.
5. Snake it. Feed a small hand snake through the drain or overflow to reach the trap.
6. Run hot water to flush the line.

Why not chemical cleaners?

Harsh drain chemicals can damage older pipes and finishes, often fail on hair clogs, and create a hazard if a plumber later has to work on the drain. Enzyme cleaners are gentler for routine maintenance.

Prevent it

• Use a hair catcher over the drain.
• Clean the stopper every month or two.
• Flush the drain with hot water regularly.

When to call a plumber

• The clog comes back quickly
• The toilet or sink gurgles when the tub drains
• Several drains are slow at once, which suggests the main line

See our drain cleaning cost guide for typical prices.

Types of tub stoppers

Trip-lever tubs often hold a clump of hair on the linkage inside the overflow tube; cleaning it fixes many slow drains.