Clear a clogged bathtub drain
Remove accessible hair, then use a hand auger only if the tub still drains slowly.
Home · 30–90m · Medium
Before you start
Do not plunge, snake or dismantle a drain containing chemical cleaner. Keep eyes protected and follow the auger’s glove instructions. Never attach a drill, force a stuck cable or use boiling water. Stop for leaks, damaged fittings, sewage backup or several slow fixtures.
Tools and materials
- Hand-operated drum auger suitable for the bathtub drain, with its instructions
- Matching screwdriver, plastic hair-removal tool and cup plunger
- Bucket, towels, gloves appropriate to the auger and eye protection
Check the problem
Confirm the problem is local
Check whether other nearby fixtures drain normally. Multiple backups, gurgling or water appearing elsewhere suggest a shared-line problem. Stop rather than pushing a cable farther.
Check the stopper before the pipe
Open the stopper fully. Look for hair beneath an accessible stopper or a trip-lever linkage that fails to lift. Use that assembly’s removal instructions; do not unscrew the fixed drain flange.
Steps
Protect the tub and remove standing water
Confirm no cleaner was added. Bail excess water into a bucket, protect the finish and put on eye protection and suitable gloves. Keep small screws out of the drain.
Remove accessible hair and retest
Remove the stopper as directed and lift out visible hair with a plastic tool. Refit temporarily and run a small amount of water. If it drains freely, skip to the final check.
Try a cup plunger if still slow
Seal the overflow opening with a wet cloth and add only enough water to cover the plunger cup. Keep a seal over the floor drain and plunge in controlled strokes. Remove the cloth and check drainage.
Open the overflow access if needed
If still slow, remove the overflow screws and carefully withdraw any linkage. Support loose fittings and inspect the rear gasket. Stop if the overflow elbow shifts away, its seal is damaged or the assembly cannot be safely resecured.
Advance the hand auger gently
Feed the cable down the overflow passage. Follow the tool instructions for locking, cranking and short advances. Keep exposed cable controlled. Stop if it kinks or meets an obstruction that will not yield to gentle operation.
Withdraw the cable and reassemble
Retract slowly, wipe the cable and dispose of hair in the trash. Refit linkage and overflow plate with the gasket correctly seated; keep the overflow water entry open. Restore the stopper’s movement.
Check drainage and watch for leaks
Run water, then release a small pool with the stopper fully open. Verify drainage, stopper operation and dry accessible connections. If slow flow quickly returns or any leak appears, stop and arrange further diagnosis.
Tub drains without persistent pooling, stopper operates normally and accessible disturbed connections remain dry.
Tips
Catch hair before it enters
Use a removable strainer compatible with the stopper and clean it regularly.
Gentle passes beat force
A resistant cable can be at a bend or damaged fitting, not necessarily a clog.
Check the linkage too
A misplaced trip-lever plunger can restrict flow even after hair has been removed.