Ask Experts Questions for FREE Help !
Ask
    ChefJamesOnMaui's Avatar
    ChefJamesOnMaui Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #1

    Nov 20, 2013, 06:23 PM
    Is there a way to clear a bathtub drain of an object other than snaking?
    I have a condo unit on a second floor that has a toy or shampoo cap stuck in the bathtub drain. I had a plumber come out to snake it and he was unable to remove the object. Is there some other method besides the suggested "go through your downstairs neighbor ceiling"? Is there a specific tool designed to grab items and pull them out?
    massplumber2008's Avatar
    massplumber2008 Posts: 12,832, Reputation: 1212
    Senior Plumbing Expert
     
    #2

    Nov 20, 2013, 06:48 PM
    Aloha ChefJames

    I'd fill the bathtub with a few inches of water and then I'd use a basic plunger to see if I could PULL the object back into the tub. If that failed to help, I'd keep the tub filled a few inches with water and I would use a wet/dry vacuum to try to suck the toy/cap out of the drain.

    If that failed to retrieve the object then I'd check for, or consider cutting into the wall, an access panel that will give you access to the tub waste and overflow assembly (and the PTRAP) in your unit...can try to disassemble the tub waste and overflow assembly (see image) and see if the object got caught up in the assembly (or PTRAP... use wet/dry vac. here), if needed.

    Start with the wet/dry vac. if readily available.

    Back to you...

    Mark
    Attached Images
     
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
    Eternal Plumber
     
    #3

    Nov 21, 2013, 11:34 AM
    If Mark's solution doesn't work for you then look in the wall behind the front of the tub. There should be a access panel cut into the wall. If there isn't one, then cut the drywall and make one. You may now disassemble the tub and trap assembly and remove the object. Let us know how you make out. Good luck, Tom
    ChefJamesOnMaui's Avatar
    ChefJamesOnMaui Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #4

    Nov 21, 2013, 01:09 PM
    Mahalo for the answers. I'll give it a try and let you know.

Not your question? Ask your question View similar questions

 

Question Tools Search this Question
Search this Question:

Advanced Search

Add your answer here.


Check out some similar questions!

Snaking a tub drain [ 3 Answers ]

First of all T am a women who has never done this why do I have to take iff the overflow?

How do I get past T pipe when snaking a drain? [ 5 Answers ]

I've searched a bit and haven't seen a question/answer for this, so if there is one please kick me in the right direction! We have a free standing shower and separate bathtub next to it. The shower drain is backing up and slow to drain... the bathtub drain is not. The shower does not have an...

Snaking out a floor drain [ 4 Answers ]

My wife and I recently (less than three months) bought a one story slab\cinder block foundation house. At least I describe it that way since the utility room is on a lower level than the rest of the house. It was owned by a single gentleman for I think roughly 20 years before us. A little more...

Drain snaking: how to tell if drain is clear? [ 4 Answers ]

Hi there! In a previous post, I discovered that one of the two main 4" cast iron drain lines from my house (goes to septic) had standing water in it: https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/plumbing/cracked-cast-iron-pipe-107834.html Even though I've never had trouble with this drain, it seems like...


View more questions Search