How do you get water out of a bathtub that won't drain?

Author: Mr. Brian Shields  |  Last update: Monday, April 21, 2025

Try a Plunger Fill the tub with a few inches of water to cover the drain opening. Place the plunger over the drain, ensuring a good seal. Plunge vigorously for about 30 seconds. Check if the water drains.

What to do if your tub is full of water and won't drain?

Run the tub full of hot water and let it mostly drain. You want to soften and loosen the crap in the pipe. Then cover up the overflow hole, and vigorously plunge for a minute or 2. Then run more hot water, so anything you managed to shake loose keeps heading to the main drain. Then do it again. Probably again.

How do I get rid of standing water in my bathtub?

First, cover the tub's overflow drain with masking tape or stuff it with a towel (to block any air from escaping). Next, push the plunger down over the drain so it creates a firm seal. Then push the plunger up and down several times while maintaining the seal.

How do you unblock a bath that won't drain?

Use a Plunger: - Place a plunger over the drain hole, ensuring there's enough water in the tub to cover the plunger's cup. - Push down and pull up quickly to create suction. Repeat this several times to try to dislodge the clog. Try a Drain Snake: - If the plunger doesn't work, insert a drain snake into the drain.

How do you force a bathtub to drain?

To plunge the drain well, place the plunger over the top of the drain so that it covers it completely and forms a tight seal against the tub. Plunge the drain with quick thrusts, about 10 times.

DON'T LIVE with SLOW DRAINS - Make Your Shower Drain like New In 2 Minutes

Can you put drano in a clogged tub with standing water?

CLEAR THAT CLOG

The best way to clear that clog is by pouring Drano® Max Gel Clog Remover straight over the drain (even if there's standing water).

How to unstick a bathtub drain?

This is usually because the connecting rod attached to the trip lever has become shortened from use.
  1. Remove the Cover Plate and Plunger. Back out the mounting screws that hold the overflow cover plate to the overflow tube. ...
  2. Clean the Spring. ...
  3. Adjust the Connecting Rod. ...
  4. Reassemble the Stopper.

How do you unclog a bathtub without Draino?

Pour a pot of hot boiling water into the bathtub drain. Pour a cup of vinegar and ¼ cup of baking soda into the drain and leave it for 15 to 20 minutes. Pour another pot of boiling water down the drain and check if the clog is removed by running the water. Once the clog is cleared, replace the strainer and the stopper.

How to unclog a drain with standing water?

First, remove all stagnant water from the sink. Replace it with hot water until it is halfway full, and it generates a seal around your drain. Place the sink plunger over the drain and start pumping up and down swiftly. Remove the plunger, observe if the water flows, and repeat the procedure until water flows freely.

Why should you never use baking soda and vinegar to unclog a drain?

The fizzing reaction and gas created may help loosen some small blockages. However, it is not typically strong enough to break down larger clogs or remove hard-to-reach debris. As a result of the above facts, if you have a serious drain clog, using baking soda and vinegar is unlikely to be effective.

Why is water backing up in my bathtub?

Some of the main reasons for water backing up into your tub are blockages in the main sewer line, clogged bathtub drains, and issues with the vent system. By identifying and resolving these issues, you can ensure that your bathtub functions properly and provides a relaxing environment for you to unwind.

What type of plunger is best for a bathtub?

The cup plunger is best for use in bathtubs due to its design that works best on flat surfaces.

What is the best drain cleaner for standing water?

Drano's Max Gel Liquid Clog Remover works quickly too, without any elbow grease on your part. Simply pour the formula down a backed-up sink or drain and let it go to work. For minor clogs and slow-flowing drains, the gel works in 15 to 30 minutes. It can even help clear clogs in standing water.

How to get rid of standing water in a bathtub?

What you will need to do
  1. Pour 1 cup of water down your drain.
  2. Put the half cup of baking soda down the drain.
  3. Mix in the vinegar with your second prepared cup of water.
  4. Pour in the vinegar/water mixture down the drain with the added baking soda – Things will begin to bubble/fizz, this is good, it means things are working!

Why is my bathtub not clogged but wont drain?

If your bathtub is not draining but doesn't appear clogged, the issue might be deeper in the plumbing system. It could be due to a partial blockage further down the pipe, venting problems, or even tree roots infiltrating the sewer line. In such cases, professional inspection is recommended.

How to unclog a bathtub drain with hair?

Use tweezers, a bent metal hanger with a small hook, your fingers, or a plunger to remove the clog. If using a plunger, run the faucet and place the plunger over top of the tub drain. Get a good seal and plunge vigorously. Dispose of the hair, residue, or gunky soap scum that comes up.

Will Drano cut through standing water?

Drano® cuts through standing water and removes clogs, which can be a source of odours and can harbour germs and bacteria.

Will hydrogen peroxide unclog bathtub drain?

Yes, hydrogen peroxide is safe to use for unclogging a drain. It will dissolve and loosen natural matter—like skin cells—stuck in the pipes. Hydrogen peroxide also reduces germs and disinfects the drain, helping it smell fresher and clean.

How do you unclog a bathtub when Drano doesn't work?

Use ½-1 cup of baking soda and 1 cup of vinegar, plus a bit of water if you want to dilute things a little bit more. Pour it down the drain and let it sit for 30-60 minutes. Sometimes, this mixture can break up clogs that even Drano can't touch!

What to do if your bath won't drain?

For this home remedy, all you need to do is pour a pot of boiling water down the bathtub drain. Then pour a mixture of one cup baking soda and one cup vinegar into the drain. Insert the drain plug, or close the filter, and wait 5–10 minutes. Finally, flush the drain with another pot of boiling water.

How do you unclog a bathtub drain without a snake?

Using Baking Soda and Vinegar

Pour a cup of baking soda down the drain, then follow this with a cup of vinegar, before waiting for at least 10-15 minutes so the solution has time to do its work. After the time has passed, follow it up with boiling water to see how well the drain has cleared.

How do you unclog a stuck drain?

Boiling water helps break down buildup in your pipes. If you have tried snaking your drain and using a plunger to no success, you may have a blockage caused by buildup. In order to soften the buildup that is causing the drain blockage and allow water to pass through, you can try pouring boiling water down the drain.

Previous article
What can ZEP be used for?
Next article
How do you get mildew smell out of clothes that have been dried?