I have a cape that is about 55 years old. Lo9oks like priginal tub it has been a slow drainer since we ourchased it. But now it is really back up. I use drain open and it helps. I purchased a snake but it would not get through the hole where the tub stopper is. (dosent work). Anyhow any suggestions? When I plunge I hear the noise through the area of the stopper handle. Thank you.

DeeM

If you try to plung you must seal that over flow with a wet towel and a lot of pressure. That tub can be snaked, are you using a 1/4" snake or rotary rodder?

Remove overflow cover and try snaking through that.

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Originally Posted by deem

I have a cape that is about 55 years old. Lo9oks like priginal tub it has been a slow drainer since we ourchased it. But now it is really back up. I use drain open and it helps. I purchased a snake but it would not get thru the hole where the tub stopper is. (dosent work). Anyhow any suggestions? when I plunge I hear the noise thru the area of the stopper handle. Thank you.

DeeM

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Hi Dee,
Looks like you were attempting to snake from the tub shoe (the drain) instead of the overflow(see image). To snake from the overflowUnscrew and remove the overflow plate,(The one with the drain lever) and pull out the tub stopper. 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 shouldn'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. Be advised that some older tubs do not have a "P" trap. They have a drum trap,(see image) if that's so you will have to locate the drum trap and open it up and finish snaking from there. Hope this helps and thank you for rating my reply. TOM

Remove the overflow cover and try snaking through as Harold says see the attach image, good luck.

John

My picture didn't go through it was the same as Tom's right one

Here's a couple more pics. Showing the different ways to unclog the drain.

If using the plunger be sure there is an inch of water or so in tub while plunging and that the tub waste is blocked off with duct tape or wet rags.

Snaking is best.

Good luck...

MARK