How to unclog a bathroom drain with standing water?

Author: Korey Crona  |  Last update: Monday, December 22, 2025

How to Unclog a Shower Drain with Standing Water: 5 Methods
  1. Combine Baking Soda and Vinegar. Baking soda, a cup of vinegar, and boiled water are a perfect home remedy for clearing a clog. ...
  2. Use a Plunger. ...
  3. Try a Drain Snake. ...
  4. Use a Coat Hanger. ...
  5. Call Your Local Expert Plumber.

How to unclog a drain that is full of water?

Use a plunger:
  1. Fill the sink with hot water halfway.
  2. Put the plunger over the drain and begin pumping up and down quickly several times.
  3. Remove the plunger, wait, and see if it helps the water drain.
  4. Keep repeating the process until the water starts to drain freely.

How do you unclog a bathroom with standing water?

Plunge the drain: Place a plunger over the drain, ensuring a tight seal. Push the plunger handle in and out vigorously to create suction and dislodge the clog. Continue plunging until you hear the water start to drain (3).

Will Drano still work in standing water?

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

How to unclog a bathtub that is full of water?

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.

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

What is the best drain cleaner for standing water?

Drano Max Gel Liquid Clog Remover

The best drain cleaner overall. A thick gel that descends through standing water to the source of the clog and starts to work melting soap scum, grease, and other gunky obstructions, is safe for plumbing and septic systems.

How to fix a bathtub drain that won't drain?

To unblock a bath that won't drain, start with manual removal of visible debris, then try plunging or using a mixture of baking soda and vinegar. For tougher clogs, use a plumbing snake or auger. If these methods fail, it may be time to call a professional plumber.

Why do plumbers say not to use Drano?

Even after the Drano exits your plumbing system, it can contaminate the local water supply causing harm to plants and animals.

What is best for unclogging a shower drain?

First, if you have metal pipes, pour boiling water down the drain. Then remove hair from the drain. If that doesn't work, use a mixture of vinegar and baking soda. If the clog persists, use a plunger, plumber's snake or chemical drain opener.

Can you pour liquid plumr in standing water?

CAN I USE LIQUID-PLUMR® CLOG DESTROYER PLUS+ HAIR CLOG ELIMINATOR™ IF I HAVE STANDING WATER (WHEN WATER HAS STOPPED FLOWING) INTO MY SINK? Yes, but for best results, we recommend using either Liquid-Plumr® Clog Destroyer Plus+ PipeGuard™ or Liquid-Plumr® Clog Destroyer Plus+ Urgent Clear™ for clogs with standing water.

How do you unblock a badly blocked bathroom?

Start by pouring a kettle full of boiling water down the drain to loosen any grease around the blockage. Now pour down two tablespoons of baking soda and leave it to settle on the blockage for several minutes. Finally, pour a cup of white vinegar down and let the fizzing reaction work its magic for five minutes.

How do you clear a slow bathroom drain?

Add 1 cup of white vinegar to 1 cup of hot water, and then pour this mixture over the drain onto the baking soda. The reaction of the vinegar with baking soda will cause bubbling. This reaction will help loosen the sludge that has collected in the drain pipe.

How to unblock a bathtub drain naturally?

Start with 1/4 cup of salt, 1/4 cup of Borax, and then a 1/2 cup of vinegar. Add a pot of boiling water and let it sit for at least an hour or until it clears. Finally, rinse with hot tap water to clear all ingredients down the drain.

What do you do if your drain won't unclog?

Pour one cup of fresh baking soda down the drain, followed by one cup of white vinegar. Place a rubber stopper or other sink hole cover over the drain opening. Wait 15 minutes to allow the vinegar and baking soda to unclog your drain, Then take out the drain cover and run hot tap water down the drain to clear the clog.

How do you unblock a drain with standing water?

How to Unclog a Shower Drain with Standing Water: 5 Methods
  1. Combine Baking Soda and Vinegar. Baking soda, a cup of vinegar, and boiled water are a perfect home remedy for clearing a clog. ...
  2. Use a Plunger. ...
  3. Try a Drain Snake. ...
  4. Use a Coat Hanger. ...
  5. Call Your Local Expert Plumber.

How do you unclog a shower drain?

First, fill a cup with baking soda and pour it down your drain. Wait two to three minutes, then follow with a cup of white vinegar. The mixture will start to bubble. Put the plug in and leave the mixture to work for around an hour.

How to remove water blockage in bathroom?

7 ways to unclog your drain
  1. Remove the clog by hand. Sometimes, a clog is immediately visible near the surface and easily accessible. ...
  2. Use a drain snake. ...
  3. Use a plunger. ...
  4. Use a pot of boiling water. ...
  5. Use a natural drain cleaner. ...
  6. Remove and clean the drain trap. ...
  7. Call a plumber.

What will dissolve hair in a drain?

Heat 2 or 4 liters of water on your stove or in a kettle to just short of boiling. Add about 1/2 cup of salt. Try pouring this down the drain, then wait 15 minutes before seeing if it will clear more easily. If you need a stronger cleaning, pour 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain, then add 1/2 cup of vinegar.

What do plumbers use to unclog drains?

Plumbers choose hydro jetting equipment for the most stubborn, deep-set clogs. This drain clearing tool uses high-pressure water to flush your pipes and remove years of buildup. The water jet is so strong that it can even break up any tree roots that have found their way into your sewer line.

Is boiling water bad for pipes?

Chemical cleaners can eat away at your pipes, and boiling water can melt important components. Over time, this damage can lead to leaks and expensive plumbing repairs.

Why is my drain clogged worse after Drano?

It's also possible for drain cleaners to end up making a clog worse. This can happen for a few reasons: First, the chemicals in drain cleaners can corrode pipes and cause damage over time. This can lead to leaks or even bursting, which can make a clog worse by creating additional blockages.

How to unclog a bathtub with standing water?

How to Unclog a Shower or Bathtub Drain With Standing Water
  1. Step 1: Remove Visible Debris. ...
  2. Step 2: Use a Plunger. ...
  3. Step 3: Try a Baking Soda and Vinegar Solution. ...
  4. Step 4: Use a Drain Snake or Auger. ...
  5. Step 5: Consider a Chemical Drain Cleaner. ...
  6. Step 6: Call a Professional Plumber.

What is the best way to clear a slow bathtub drain?

Mix equal parts baking soda and vinegar (about 1 cup of each) and pour the blend down the bathtub drain after a pot full of hot (not boiling) water. Cover the drain after you pour the mixture for up to 10 minutes. Finish the job by pouring another pot full of hot water down the drain to flush the clog. Use a plunger.

How to unblock a slow draining bath without a plunger?

Method one: Vinegar and baking soda

Pour boiling water down the drain to loosen dirt and grease. Add two tablespoons of baking soda and leave for two minutes. Then, pour in a cup of white vinegar and let the concoction fizz up for 5-minutes. Flush with another kettle of boiling water.

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