Ask Me Help Desk - Tub drains slowly

Ok, I've got one for you all...

Our bathtub in the master bathroom drains slowly. A common problem that seems to be caused by grease and hair clogs. But I don't believe this is the problem.

Here is my situation. The bathroom has two sinks, toilet and separate shower. All of which drain with no problems. We bought the house new and from the beginning the tub drained slow. The builders plummer told us it was because they now use smaller diameter drain pipes. (I can't believe I bought that execuse either, plus the entire house drains normally!). Fast forward seven years, we have used this tub maybe ten to fifteen times. We are thinking of selling so I figued I'd better get this fixed.

I ran a snake down the drain close to ten feet. It goes down somewhat easy (probably the trap) and comes back out clean.

This is the weird thing. The tub has a pop-up type stopper. If I take a gallon pitcher of water and slowly pour it down the drain, it drains normally and does not backup. If I close the stopper and pour the gallon of water in the tub and open the stopper, it will drain for about 2 or 3 seconds, then drain very slowly as long as the stopper is under water.

There is a vent tube sticking out of the roof above the wall that the tub drain is near. The sinks share the same wall. The tub and shower valves and drains are at opposite ends.

Could the vent be plugged? It seems like it to me. How can I test this? Should I run a snake down the vent tube from the roof? What about pouring water down the vent to see if it drains or backs up? (From the roof)

Any help is appreciated...

Quote:

Originally Posted by sjds03

Ok, I've got one for ya all....

Our bathtub in the master bathroom drains slowly. A common problem that seems to be caused by grease and hair clogs. But I don't believe this is the problem.

Here is my situation. The bathroom has two sinks, toilet and separate shower. All of which drain with no problems. We bought the house new and from the beginning the tub drained slow. The builders plummer told us it was because they now use smaller diameter drain pipes. (I can't believe I bought that execuse either, plus the entire house drains normally!). Fast foward seven years, we have used this tub maybe ten to fifteen times. We are thinking of selling so I figued I'd better get this fixed.

I ran a snake down the drain close to ten feet. It goes down somewhat easy (probably the trap) and comes back out clean.

This is the weird thing. The tub has a pop-up type stopper. If I take a gallon pitcher of water and slowly pour it down the drain, it drains normally and does not backup. If I close the stopper and pour the gallon of water in the tub and open the stopper, it will drain for about 2 or 3 seconds, then drain very slowly as long as the stopper is under water.

There is a vent tube sticking out of the roof above the wall that the tub drain is near. The sinks share the same wall. The tub and shower valves and drains are at opposite ends.

Could the vent be plugged? It seems like it to me. How can I test this? Should I run a snake down the vent tube from the roof? What about pouring water down the vent to see if it drains or backs up?? (From the roof)

Any help is appreciated.......

I'm confused, You can't snake a tub from the drain. Once the cable hits the tee at the end of the tub shoe it won't go any further. You snake out a tub from the tub waste and overflow. Let me show you how. Unscrew and remove the overflow plate,(The one with the drain lever) and pull out the tub stopper if it's a lever type. If not just unscrew the two screws from the plate. You now have a clear shot at the trap. The way you were going in through the drain it ran you square into a tee that you can't get around. Now feed the cable( 1/4" best or 3/3" with a small tip. You can rent a Ridgid K50 sink cable.) About 2' down you will run into the bend of the trap. Crank and push at the same time to work around it. Your blockage will be found in the lateral pipe going to the stack. You shouln't have to put out more then 10 or 12 feet. I have found tub and shower clogs to be mostly hair and the worm should auger into it and pull it back. As for your stopper draining with it open and not under water, there is a partial blockage in the branch line that the water built up in the tub hits and slows down the drain action. Snake and clear the tub branch and I think that will solve your problem. Hope this helps and good luck to you, Tom

Thanks for the help! Unfortunately it still drains slowly.

Note: I have always been able to run the snake through the tub drain. When I look down the tub drain, the pipe goes vertically down about 3" then does a sharp 90 degree angle towards the wall. The horizontal pipe does not go straight towards the wall, it is angled at 45 degrees.

Here's what I did...

I ran the snake down the overflow. First time about 10 feet. The second time, the snake actually came back up the tub drain. I could see the end. I re-adjusted and went in about 20 feet. The tub still drains slow.

What I found interesting this time is that while the tub is slowing draining. I can pour water down the overflow without it backing up with water. I would think if a pipe is plugged, this would backup too.

Any ideas on where I should go from here?