Bathtub Not Draining Right? Here's What Actually Worked for Me

Look, I’m not a plumber. Just a regular homeowner who likes hot showers and hates standing in an inch of murky water because of a clogged drain in tub. Sound familiar? Yeah, it’s gross — and annoying. I’ve tried all the usual stuff, and some of it worked. Some… not so much.

So, instead of calling the pros every time, I started collecting a few go-to clogged bathtub drain solutions that are simple, don’t cost a fortune, and don’t make a mess (well, not too much of a mess).

Let me break it down — real talk, no fluff.

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First Things First: Is It Really Clogged?

Before diving into unclogging anything, check the basics. Is the water draining super slow? Is there a gurgling sound? Bad smell? Those are all signs of a clogged drain in bathtub, even if there’s no full-on standing water yet. Catching it early saves a lot of trouble.

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1. Hair. Always Hair.

Let’s be honest. Most of the time, the issue is a big clump of hair mixed with soap scum. If you’ve got long hair (or someone in your house does), that’s your prime suspect. I keep one of those cheap plastic drain snakes under the sink. Takes like two minutes, and it pulls out the nastiest stuff. It’s kinda satisfying, if you can get past the gross factor.

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2. Boiling Water Trick (Old-School, but It Works)

If the clog isn’t solid, try pouring a kettle of boiling water slowly down the drain. Wait a few minutes, then do it again. Sometimes this helps melt down whatever gunk is stuck to the sides. Doesn’t always work, but it’s an easy first step.

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3. Baking Soda + Vinegar = Foamy Magic

I know, sounds like something from science class. But this combo really works on light clogs. Pour 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain, then 1/2 cup vinegar right after. Plug it up with a rag and let the fizz do its thing for 15–20 minutes. Then flush with hot water. You might be surprised.

This is one of those clogged bathtub drain solutions that’s cheap and safe for your pipes. Bonus: your drain smells better too.

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4. Plunger — Yep, the Same One (Just Clean It First)

If water is really not moving, and you’ve already tried clearing the visible stuff, try using a plunger. Just make sure there’s enough water in the tub to cover the plunger base, and give it some quick, solid pushes. It works better than you’d think, even on a clogged drain in tub that looks hopeless.

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5. Still Clogged? Might Be Time to Call Someone

If nothing’s working, it might be deeper in the line — like way down past where DIY tools can reach. That’s when I called in a local plumber. They used this crazy camera tool to find the exact blockage. Turns out, my issue wasn’t just a clogged drain in bathtub — there was a buildup way down the line from years of junk.

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Quick Recap Before You Go:

• Hair is usually the villain.
• Use a drain snake or homemade mix (baking soda + vinegar).
• Don’t be afraid to plunge.
• If it’s recurring, it might be a bigger issue.
• Prevention is key — I now use a drain cover to catch hair. $5 well spent.

If you’re like me and tired of battling slow drains, try one or two of these clogged bathtub drain solutions first. If that doesn’t cut it, pros like McDowell Drainage know how to handle it — without wrecking your pipes or your weekend.

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Want more tips like this? Check out the full guide on how to unclog your bathtub drain, or just give the McDowell team a shout. They’ve seen every kind of clog there is.