Bathtub drains slow or not at all

notsohandygirl · #1 Feb 19, 2006, 05:29 PM

My bathtub has been slow, very slow, on and off for years. Sometimes drain cleaner helps but most times it doesn't. We actually keep a plunger in the bathroom and my daughter now showers on a step stool! After furiously plunging for hours today I finally searched for the source. I found a drum trap which I was able to open with a hammer and screwdriver. I snaked the pipe as far as I could and found nothing noticeable. However, the drain was almost stopped but when I opened the drum it flowed down. If it's a vent problem then why is it only sometimes? I don't know what to do. It's beyond slow now.

meangene59 · Feb 19, 2006, 06:37 PM

you may want to check the faceplate(stopper) it may be worn out aloowing the bucket to fall a little sometimes and slow the drain down take the face plate off and see if it drains faster if so replace the faceplate and adjust bucket

notsohandygirl · Feb 19, 2006, 07:17 PM

Thanks. However, I did that also today. It didn't make a difference except for splashing me with my furious plunging.

letmetellu · Feb 19, 2006, 09:04 PM

You say that you are not so handy, but it sounds like you have at least done one thing and that is to get the top off of the drum trap which is sometimes imposible to do, so I have a sugestion. Inside there are two pipes openings, one is the inlet from the tub and the other is the outlet from the drum trap to the sewer line. You can buy a small drain cleaner drum and cable at most hardware stores, a fifteen foot might be enough for you. Locate which one of the pips is the one that connects to the sewer. This should be the one that is higest in the drum trap. With the top off of the drum trap run a very small amount of water into the tub, maybe a pint, and watch the trap if the water level in the trap rises and does not go back down start the little cable into the pipe leading away from the trap continue inserting and turning the cable till the water level goes down, never will all water go out of the trap because of the way it is built. If the water goes away then repeat with the small amount of water in the tub. If the water rises but then goes away quickly you have made progress. So I would insert and turn more cable and then you might turn on the water in the tub, maybe a stream the size of a pencil, if the trap does not run over continue to turn the cable to wash out anything that might be in the pipe. Then pull the cable out, replace the top on the trap and pray. If the tub still does not drain fast enough repeat the process. If you have no luck then I am at a loss without more information.

notsohandygirl · Feb 20, 2006, 02:01 PM

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I did it!!!!!!!!!!!!! I snaked it & found out that it was blocked almost as far as the septic pipe which in this case was only about 6 feet away. That nasty glob of hair was the most wonderful sight!!!! And then the beautiful fast flow of water!!!! I think I want to be a plumber.... well I won't go that far but I do think that this is my new favorite tool. I won't let my husband lose this one. I did all the work and he thinks he's the hero because he bought the snake. Go figure. Thanks again..I should have come here a long time ago.

letmetellu · Feb 20, 2006, 05:55 PM

I am glad that it worked for you, sometimes if doesn't. I could give you one more little piece of advise. I would suggest that you put some lubracant on the threads on the cap that you took off of the drum trap before you screw it back into place, these things have a tendency to get stuck and if you happened to ruin the drum trap that is a serious problem.

notsohandygirl · Feb 21, 2006, 04:50 AM

Thanks again so much. It was quite rewarding actually. As for hubby, well I guess I haven't trained him well at all. Maybe I could find another help site for that!

I already planned on lubricating that drum top. What's the best thing to use? I was going to put petroleum jelly. Is that okay?



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