Expert: speedball1 - 2/11/2004

Question
What can I do to open, and keep open, my bath tub drain?

This is the third house/appartment where I've had this same problem. I
know that part of the problem is probably the hair and soap eventually
clogging every thing up, but what can I do short of having the whole
family get full-body shaves?

I think this current drain is a floor drain like the others. I've tried
plunging and plunging, running a small snake and dumping in
bottles of Drano and Liquid Plummer (Gel). They work a little but...

What can I do because I'm getting tired of taking a shower standing in
two foot of water?  

Answer
Hey Gorilla,  (Neat nick!!) Over the years hair and grease in a tub / shower drain build up into a clog. I don't have much faith in using harsh chemicals like Draino or Liquid Plumber.  I have found that snaking them out is the only sure way of removing a clog.  Having said that let me tell you how to go about it.   To snake out a tub clog.  If you don't have a power snake you can rent one from a rent all company. Use a auger tip on the cable.Remove the two screws on the plate with the lever. Pull out and up to get the plug and linkage out.  Then run your snake down the open hole.  You will hit the bottom of the trap about 18" in and come up against some resistance, crank and work it on past.  The tub drain pipe shouldn't be too long,6 to 8 feet so you shouldn't have to run out too much snake.  After you snake the drain , flush it down with a pan of boiling water,  and If there's a odor from the drain pour 1/2 gallon of bleach down the drain and let it set overnight.   hope this helps and thank you for rating my reply.  Tom