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    edrauscher's Avatar
    edrauscher Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    Jan 4, 2014, 03:05 PM
    How can I unclog the Orbeez beads from my bathtub drain?
    My bathtub drain is clogged with Orbeez beads. They are polymer beads that swell in water and shrink down without it. Can't wait however long it would take for them to dry up in the drain.
    hkstroud's Avatar
    hkstroud Posts: 11,929, Reputation: 899
    Home Improvement & Construction Expert
    		  
    #2

    Jan 4, 2014, 03:40 PM
    I have heard of the Orbeez beads but am not personally familiar with them.
    If they went in dry and moved to the tub trap, you are going to have a plumber remove the trap and piping to remove the beads. You could try snaking the drain line. If the beads are a soft and pliable material when expanded, as I suspect they are, the snake will just go through them with out breaking them up. In the trap they will not dry out in any reasonable time.
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
    Eternal Plumber
    		  
    #3

    Jan 4, 2014, 03:54 PM
    You should find a access panel behind the front of the tub. Open it up and remove the "J" bend from the trap. You should be able to pull them out. Now. If not, click on back for more help. Our only when asked why he would put something in your trainer will swell up and Clagett. Good luck, Tom
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
    Eternal Plumber
    		  
    #4

    Jan 4, 2014, 04:39 PM
    When attempt to edit my last post AMHD won't let me edit. Ain't the new upgrade great?
    massplumber2008's Avatar
    massplumber2008 Posts: 12,832, Reputation: 1212
    Senior Plumbing Expert
    		  
    #5

    Jan 4, 2014, 06:14 PM
    I'd fill the tub with a couple inches of water and at least try a plunger (remove strainer). If you remove the trip lever assembly (or overflow plate) and plug that with a wet cloth you will get even better suction on the drain....the pull up on the plunger will matter most here!

    If you go that far, you might also consider using a WET-VAC....try to suck those orbeez back up the drain. Here, fill the tub with an inch or two of water and then partially stick the wet-vac. into the drain.

    Finally, if all that fails AND you do have an access panel to the drain, I'd remove the trip lever assembly (or overflow plate) and then remove the overflow tube to the entire trip lever assembly behind the tub....would be easy to use a wet-vac. to suck the beads out of the PTRAP from that point.

    Mark
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