[cindegilliland]

Two days ago my bathtub began to drain slowly during a shower... and it has gotten progressively worse in that time. Today, following my shower I used a toilet plunger to try to get it draining or see if there was some clog. (I have short hair and am the only one that uses the bathroom and don't know of anything that might be stopping it up.) Today, I noticed that when I was trying to plunge the tub, the toilet began to bubble. Several months ago the toilet bubbled once or twice but that was the only time. I am leasing this duplex and it was built in 1984. Today, the water in the tub eventually drained, but I noticed some small debris when I checked on it. I went out to find some drain clog stuff and poured it down. When I ran the hot water (according to directions), the tub filled up and was slow to drain, but did drain -- although the bubbling in the toilet came back more pronounced. I am headed out for a Thanksgiving trip and am now worried that somehow this is related to the sewer and that it may back up and overflow in my absence. It is Thanksgiving Day, and I know that it is a very busy day for plumbers to deal with kitchen sinks, but I never thought of a bathtub drain backup! I know I won't be able to get the landlord today probably. Help!

[afaroo]

Snake from the tub waste and overflow, (see images). Unscrew and remove the overflow plate, (if you have one with the drain lever pull out the tub stopper).
Now you have a clear shot at the trap. Feed the cable (1/4" best or 3/3" with a small tip. You can rent a Ridged 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. Tub and shower clogs to be mostly hair and the worm should auger into it and pull it back, good luck.

John