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blessedmom · Oct 14, 2006, 02:06 PM

The water drains from my tub very slowly. I have poured bleach and boiling water down the drain but it did not work. Can I pour bleach and boiling water down the clean out drian that is below the faucet. What can I do with out snaking out it out. Something I can do myself at home? It is frustrating.

speedball1 · Oct 14, 2006, 03:20 PM

Hi Mom,
Lavatories, tubs and showers all have the same problem with clogs. Rotting hair matted up with grease from soap is the culprit.
"Can I pour bleach and boiling water down the clean out drian that is below the faucet."
It would be the same as pouring bleach and boiling water down the drain. They both go to the same place.

"What can I do with out snaking out it out. Something I can do myself at home?"
A last ditch, "Hail Mary" attempt would be to soak some rags or TP and jamthem in the bottom opening of the tub waste and overflow, (the thing you call a cleanout) to make it air tight and open the drain up and plunge the ****ins out of it.
From here on in the only thing to do is snake out the tubs drain line. If you have a friend that's handy with tools I can walk him through the process if you wish. Regards, Tom

blessedmom · Oct 15, 2006, 11:44 AM

["What can I do with out snaking out it out. Something I can do myself at home?"
A last ditch, "Hail Mary" attempt would be to soak some rags or TP and jamthem in the bottom opening of the tub waste and overflow, (the thing you call a cleanout) to make it air tight and open the drain up and plunge the ****ins out of it.

I would love to try this. But you can you please explain this to me like I was a 4 year old
:-) A step by step process?

Thank you for replying. I appreciate it. I look forward to your answer.

Where is the bottom opening of the tub waste and overflow??

speedball1 · Oct 15, 2006, 12:21 PM

OK Mom,

I've put up the two types of tub wastes and overflows,( see images) one of them should be yours. The opening I want you to close off is located directly underneath the lever. Jam wet rags, soggy toilet paper or whatever in the slot so no air can escape. Have someone hold it in tight because every time you push down on the plunger it will try to come out. If your tub stopper comes up as shown in the image then pull it out. If you don't have it then you're set to plunge. (you do have a plunger don't you?)
Place the plunger over the drain and began to work it up and down vigorously all the time maintaining the seal you made with the wet rags on the tub overflow plate. Do not let any air escape. A few minutes of plunging should tell you if the line's cleared or not. If that don't get it then the tub will have to be snaked through the overflow plate that you sealed . Good luck, Tom

blessedmom · Oct 15, 2006, 02:10 PM

Thank you Tom... I will try it. I'm going to study the picture. It is kind to make out. I'm trying to understand the picture.

Basically I'm sealing that air so that no air comes out while I plunge the drain as if I have a back up in my tub?

You said after a few minutes of plunging I should know if the line is clear? How will I know.

Please forgive all the questions. I like learning and doing(or trying) things myself. I like home improvement.

I'm sorry is the tub waste and over flower the clean out drain underneath the faucet? I unscrew the plate and stuff that with rags?

speedball1 · Oct 15, 2006, 02:29 PM

Mom,

This is the overflow plate I'm referring to, (see image) you don't have to remove anything. Just seal off the slot/opening underneath it.

"Basically I'm sealing that air so that no air comes out while I plunge the drain as if I have a back up in my tub?"

That's right. Run a little water in the tub so the plunger has a better seal when you plunge.

"You said after a few minutes of plunging I should know if the line is clear? How will I know."
Run some water in the tub. If it still drains slow then plunge it again. Follow it up with bleach and boiling water.
Good luck, tom

blessedmom · Oct 17, 2006, 03:30 PM

Tom thank you for your help. I appreciate it. I guess if if I would have read carefully I wouldn't have aasked so many questions. I do have another question though. My stopper does not come off so when I try to plunge the tub it keeps closing. Do you have any suggestions.

speedball1 · Oct 17, 2006, 04:10 PM

Do you have the type of tub stopper that is shown on the right? (see tub wastes imagies a few posts back.)

blessedmom · Oct 17, 2006, 08:22 PM

Yes I do have the one that is pictured on the right.

The picture on the right is the pop stopper I have. Is there anything I can do to plunge it?

iamgrowler · Oct 18, 2006, 11:13 AM

You should be able to pull the stopper right out.

Just pull it up firmly.

When re-installing the parts after you're done, just remember to install the overflow assembly first, and then install the stopper, otherwise the reticulated arm on the stopper will not engage the overflow assembly correctly.

blessedmom · Oct 18, 2006, 12:01 PM

I have tried. It doesn't come off. I will try again.

I just tried again. It is not a regular stopper. It is a pop up stopper.

iamgrowler · Oct 18, 2006, 12:08 PM

Then it should spin out counter-clockwise.

speedball1 · Oct 18, 2006, 12:22 PM

Mom,
Take a look at the three stoippers I've put up. Do you see yours there?
On the overflow plate that I put up in a earlier post do you have a lever on it or is it bare? I'm having a problem understanding just how your tub's stoppered. To plunge the tub drain you do not have to remove the overflow plate, just seal it off. PLEASE explain in detail Exactly how you engage your stopper so we can instruct you on plunging it. Regards, Tom

blessedmom · Oct 18, 2006, 02:55 PM

I posted pictures I hope you get them. I'm really not sure how to post. Let me know. I will continue to check today for your replys. If you didn't get the pictures I will try again if you tell me how to post pictures.

But to answer your question. I looked at all 3 and picture 2 is my stopper.

speedball1 · Oct 18, 2006, 03:05 PM

Ya did fine Mom,

The pictures came through OK. Once more growler has demonstrated his plumbing knowledge when he advised," Then it should spin out counter-clockwise." It should unscrew and you should be ready to plunge as soon as you seal off the opening under the overflow plate. Good luck Tom

blessedmom · Oct 18, 2006, 07:37 PM

Tom thank you!! IT WORKED!! I saved money because of your help. You are a God sent to all of the internet world. I appreciate it. I just need to figure out how to screw the stopper back on. It doesn't seem like it want's to screw back. Again thank you! And I'm sorry for all the questions. If I ever have any more plumbling problems I will come to you. May God blessings continue to flow on you life.

blessedmom · Oct 19, 2006, 06:08 AM

Iamgrowler thank you! I'm sorry I forgot to thank you last night. I thought about it as soon as I opened my eyes this morning. Please forgive me. Thank you for your help. I didn't think I could get that stopper off and I did. The way I got it off is the way I get it back on? I know it should be easy but it doesn't seem to work by turning it clock wise. It just turns.