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This video shows how to unclog a slow-draining bathtub drain. In many cases, homeowners can accomplish this task with very little effort using very simple tools. Here are the tools you’ll need: a Philips screwdriver, needle nose pliers, and depending on your tub, you might also benefit from some channel lock pliers and a flashlight. Let’s get started.

The first hold up many people come across is how to take off the stopper. In many cases, it’s loose but still attached and there are no screws visible. In some cases, it’s just a matter of securing the stopper with some channel locks and unscrewing the top. If that doesn’t work, chances are there’s a hidden screw under the stopper. Using a flashlight, locate the screw under the top of the stopper. Then use the Philips screwdriver to back out the screw. *Be careful here, you don’t want to remove the screw completely because you might drop it down the drain. As you’re backing out the screw, pull up lightly on the stopper at the same time and when the screw has been backed out far enough, the stopper should lift right off.

Once the stopper is removed, look down the drain. Chances are you’ll see a collection of hair which is slowing down the draining of the tub. Get out your needle nose pliers and remove the hair and any other debris. It’s pretty gross. But now, the drain should be all clear. Then screw the stopper back on.

Fill up the tub with water and then drain. It should now drain faster. You’re done!

If this doesn’t work, you could also try a mixture of vinegar and baking soda to break up the clog, washing it down with boiling water (see below video). If that doesn’t help, you may need to hire a plumber to take a look at it.

Using Baking Soda & Vinegar for Sink/Tub

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Hi, I’m Julie Edelman, the Accidental Housewife, here on Howdini.com and today we’re going to do a little scene experiment that my son calls Mt. St. Helen! It’s a great way to unclog your sink from all that hair or those contacts that I throw down there, or anything else. Very simple to do. All you need are three things: baking soda, white vinegar and some boiling water.

Let’s get going. Very simple. You take half a cup of baking soda, pour it down- if you have a stopper that you can remove, that’s terrific. Pour it down as best you can, then you follow it with a half cup of white vinegar. This is where the Mt. St. Helen’s gets really fun, watch what happens. Isn’t it cool?

Let it continue to bubble. When it’s all done, take that pot of boiling water and pour it down and it will continue to fizz a little, but you will see the debris come up a little.

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