How to Clear a Clogged Bathtub Drain | This Old House

This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey shows how to fix a slow draining tub. (See below for tools.)
SUBSCRIBE to This Old House: bit.ly/Subscrib...
Tools For Clearing a Clogged Bathtub Drain:
screwdriver [amzn.to/2LzfKLl]
pliers [amzn.to/2He4YVq]
drain snake [amzn.to/2Vrc031], used to clear the clog
adjustable wrench [amzn.to/2PVmL7X]
About This Old House TV:
This Old House is the No. 1 multimedia home enthusiast brand, offering trusted information and expert advice through award-winning television, a highly regarded magazine, and an information-driven website. This Old House and Ask This Old House are produced by This Old House Ventures, LLC and are presented on PBS by WETA Washington, DC.
Follow This Old House and Ask This Old House:
Facebook: bit.ly/ThisOldH...
Twitter: bit.ly/ThisOldH...
bit.ly/AskTOHTw...
Pinterest: bit.ly/ThisOldH...
Instagram: bit.ly/ThisOldH...
bit.ly/AskTOHIG
Tumblr: bit.ly/ThisOldH...
For more on This Old House and Ask This Old House, visit us at: bit.ly/ThisOldH...
How to Clear a Clogged Bathtub Drain | This Old House
/ thisoldhouse

[@seabookavin]

I am sorry but this clip deserves much much more credit. You showed the structure and the operation principle of old bath tub, allowed me to realize my bath tub's problem is the broken "plump". tried my best to clip the plump and the broken thing out and the water blockage is solved😭. Thank you very much i wish i can give you ten thousand likes😘

[@peacelove9644]

I cant thank you enough, thank goodness I only had to unscrew the silver plate. Worked like a charm, this 64 year old lady feels like a champ and saved myself a lot of money with this drum auger. Your video showed me where to drop the coil, as I was trying to put it in the drain at first...thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

[@jeffreyrichardson]

jody would approve lisa prunier the louvre bird shirt table move

[@cheddabing]

@@jeffreyrichardson mmmmmm ok ok k look. Ok o

[@salsanchez9165]

This video is great! I'm disable senior, and couldn't get a plumber out here to unclog my tub. So I fix it, I save $$$, and I did it with one hand ''can't use my other hand''. Thank you so much!!

[@Rebelz90]

8 years later and this still saved me today. No one's went straight to the point and explained with a model of what's going on in there. After that, it all clicked. Thank you.

[@Bigeazy117182]

Thank you for this video. I was able to clear my shower drain this past weekend because of it. The feeling of accomplishing something you didn’t think you could do is pretty cool.

[@jondarling]

That section describing that the stopper may have been sitting too low is a game changer!! I’m about to unclog our tub, and I guarantee this is the culprit more than any blockage of hair etc. thanks so much.

[@joeoneil8286]

One of the best instructional videos ever for a homeowner. From how to use the plumber’s snake to adjusting the stopper. This video will save a homeowner hundreds of dollars.

[@scottfitzpatrick1939]

it never ceases to amaze me how many nuggets of wisdom there are to taking care of all these household systems

[@carolyngatlin8229]

I have put off unclogging my tub for about three months. I finally got the courage today and it was so easy! I can't believe I waited so long. Your tip on how to get past the bend was invaluable. It was hard to believe there was so much hair down there!!! Thanks so much.

[@davidglass9987]

Exact situation I was in. Didn't know to go through the vent. Learned how to remove the stopper. Can't understate how important these videos are from the pros.

[@martunika9598]

That’s like the best explained video about anything ever. I don’t even have my bathtub clogged and I want more of this guy talking and explaining things

[@NikkaPleeease]

Haha!! It just might be, man…It might just be. What an effortlessly flawless demonstration… God bless all you everyday, hardworking, blue-collar average Joes! We appreciate ya’ll!! 👨🏻‍🔧 •• 🫡

[@MB-vp7xr]

Thanks for a great video. I wasted 30 min trying to run the snake through the drain. I tried the trap door and it went through and got it unclogged!

[@lukeyes]

Picked up a cheap snake from Harbor Freight, and just unclogged a huge hairball from my pipes. Thank you so much, not only did you save me money from hiring a plumber, but also saved me from having to take time off of work to be home for them to do the work.

[@margaritameer6989]

What an undervalued video! Thank you so much!

[@pete4693]

TOH always communicates so well in their videos. This is where the Internet is used for greater good. A trusted source of accurate information. Well done.

[@larrysiegle5345]

Was going to give my dog a bath, but the tub wouldn't drain. 1946 house. Guessing pup was estatic. Tried snaking it from the lower drain. No luck. Was about to go to Ace to buy some sulfuric acid but decided to google the problem first. Found this episode from 2014. Learned something new & gave it try. Worked great. Unclogged the drain of all the pet hair from previous pups & gave my dog a badly needed bath.

[@blueflame144]

I tried shoving the snake by force down the drain 🤦‍♂️ to no avail. I was so close to giving up and I tried again step by step exactly how you’re demonstrating in the video and boom! It worked to a tee! Thank you 🙏🏽 plumber gave me an estimate of 561 dollars before I found your video. 😃

[@27Pyth]

Such a great clear video without any unnecessary BS but with that great detail about setting the stopper height... great job! As for 622 people who've disliked... I think they're just disappointed you didn't actually come over and clear the drain for them.

[@dhart28]

😂

[@deedubar6197]

I watched this video twice and then attempted to clear my drain. I hit some resistance with my snake so I watched it another time and went back to attempt it again. I was then successful in completing my task. Drain cleared out and water was swirling. Hadn’t seen that in a while. Thank you, Thank you, thank you for the great instruction. It sure saved me some money and I learned something new. A lot easier than I ever anticipated.

[@Kevin-bn2fz]

Thank you for showing the entry point to snake a tub. It gave me the idea to look at exposed drain pipes under floor to visualize distances and pathway. The first two tries failed to make the right angle turn but dipping the snake tip in cooking oil helped it slide around the corner and it drained within one minute!

[@janeunderwood1562]

Thank you for this video. I just took my bathtub drain apart and used my hand auger to remove a huge hair clog. I am so glad I avoided having to call a plumber. Also, I feel so proud of myself, not bad for an oncology nurse. New skill set!

[@DailyRealness]

Don't get too smart now, you might just start curing people of cancer and then the oncology industry will have no business.

[@ksev1021]

How long did it take you. I'm at it for neae 30 minutes, and I've gotten hair but not the clog.

[@user-rc8eq9jq4f]

from the looks of that tub maybe it had cancer.

[@JoePolvino]

Same here. I've always used a plunger with success, but today after 15 minutes of plunging with little progress, I found this video and went out and bought an auger like this. Worked really well and grabbed a huge hair clump about 10 feet down. No way was a plunger going to have any effect that far down. Be warned: these can be kind of heavy and you'll get a good arm workout!

[@retiredyeti5555]

The tub has been draining slower and slower, and we had standing water this morning while showering. I have the exact same tub setup, and now I know how to fix it! Thanks, Richard!

[@Sin526]

THANK YOU GUYS! I wouldn't have ever been able to clear my bathtub drain with the drum snake without your demonstration of the technique required to advance it past the p-trap! Really helpful and appreciated!

[@nevonb2000]

I used a plastic snake I got when it came with draino I bought and used your ingenuity to unclog my tube and it worked. You are a plumbing life saver

[@robertjesse9467]

Fixed my tub drain today thanks to "T.O.H.", SAVED ME $$$. The screw piece came free from the loop piece, locking nut was free too.Thanks again.This Old House.

[@Are.Baires]

Awesome tool!! My bathtub got clogged a week ago so I looked up easy way to unclog, found this video, went to amazon and bought one ($22, so worth it!!). Ordered it Friday and came today (Sunday). I had never used one before (21yearold) always had my dad unclog everything. It was so easy to use! So happy to know I will never have to use any chemicals 😁

[@joserivera199520]

Arely Alfaro ... good that you don’t needed you dad for this, you are becoming independent. I fix mine too

[@blessed2bbless]

Thank you for this video. My brother and I were able to solve this issue without bothering dad. We also looked at your hardwood flooring video and we just finished my mother's bedroom floor last weekend. Thank you for the content, much appreciated.

[@montuckyvids9903]

This saved me! This really works. The plunger method wouldn’t work I spent an hour plunging! I bought a snake like this at the hardware store for 20 bucks. I had the tub draining in 10 minutes. This truly works and will save you a ton of money. Thanks!

[@scipio28cato]

Always thought that I was the opposite of “handy” and that home repairs were beyond me. Thanks to people like you I now feel like a mechanical genius! What did people ever do before KZbin?! Thanks so much

[@oldtwinsna8347]

Richard is a certified expert in clogged bathtub drains.

[@ronw6372]

Just found this video 9 years later. I was snaking the bottom drain aimlessly for an hour and of course it didn’t work smh. Thank goodness I found this video. Will try to out. 🙏

[@ronw6372]

After a bit of trying it worked!!!

[@rishikeshjoshi988]

This video is very to the point and informative. Similar to another commenter, i had put off on working bathtub clog for 3 months and watching several youtube videos with no clue whatsoever, but this video is what saved me the hassle of calling plumbing guy. Appreciate your effort. Less than an hour, i could get the job done.

[@kilalubin196]

Thank you soooo much! You just saved me $160. My cheapo landlord refused to fix the tub knowing that I have 3 children in this house. You are so amazing because I bought the hand snake and ran into the "trap" problem. I gave up thinking I wasn't doing something right. Thank you so much for explaining that you should not be alarmed by that and getting us viewers through. God bless you!!

[@charlest.velten6983]

SEND YOUR LANDLORD A BILL FOR 160.00 !

[@MBisFrenchy]

Charles Velten After a certain amount of years the tenant is responsible for internal maintenance of the drain pipes unless expressly stated in the lease.

[@Vistrus]

@@MBisFrenchy That's not actually right. Landlord is responsible for all maintenance to building besides tenant caused problems.

[@slaynpray]

This is my situation and I just moved in I refuse to pay rent

[@carenblue]

Great demo on unclogging the tub. I bought a drain auger for $15, which pulled up about 3 hair clogs as big as mice!

[@stevedem76]

Great job! I wanted to tackle this job, and this is the first video that addressed how the stopper mechanism works. I never would have thought to inspect the stopper for uneven wear, or adjust it with confidence, until now.

[@ddegenef]

Thank you! This four-minute video (plus about ten minutes of work on my end) probably saved me $100+ in plumbing bills! I had the snake, but wasn't using it correctly. One thing I would add for the other viewers is that when snaking the drain, you will know when you're all the way through the Trap when you no longer feel resistance to pushing it with your hands. (In other words, turning the wheel clockwise isn't necessary to force the snake further.) 95% of clogs are within that region, so that's the point in which you should start to pull the snake back through, without turning the wheel - Just pull it all out!

[@ryansmith3405]

The most important show on TV today!

[@texas3557]

I had similar trouble. I had no clog, but the tub drain linkage had dropped and did not allow the tub water to drain. After viewing your video all I needed was a new over flow lever and I was back to normal. Your video saved me a sizable plumbing repair bill. Thank you.

[@orange13]

8 years later and this is still 100% relevant. I just successfully cleared my tub drain following the steps in this video. and I ran into the exact same issues. it was hard to get the stopper out, the stopper was too low and caused part of the issue and there was very little gunk caught up in the snake.

[@muxux4]

There are a lot of great helpers for the "Do it yourselfers", but you are the BEST

[@rosalyng5716]

This worked. Thank you! Saved crazy$$$ no plumber needed.

[@thesmokinggent499]

Richard is the GOAT! Did this and it worked! 🙏

[@five10queen]

Thank you. Single woman who tried the stop lever. Worked fine for a while. Now back draining slow. Yesterday purchased the home snake and of course it comes with no directions on how to use it. This video answered my questions. Off to see it this helps.

[@Kityn]

THANK YOU! I thought I had a hair clog but it was my stopper the whole time! As soon as I fixed it, my tub was draining perfect!

[@Alex-jb8nf]

Woah. Your video was clear and easy to follow, and I followed this and fixed my bathtub drain in like 10 minutes. HUGE long wad of disintegrating hair came up. Gonna finally take a bath and relax. ❤️

[@donutbrain]

Step 1 - Make sure drain stopper is in *OPEN* position! ;-) Finally noticing that it wasn't, after psyching myself up with lots of how-to videos, was a "2-second Fix" that saved a lot of wasted effort!

[@ibrahimlweno2002]

Richard Holden lol just made that same mistake too haha. was also a "2 second fix".

[@massimofreenet]

It is evident the great experience of mr Richard Trethewey

[@xxavier_scoots]

This was really helpful, similar to the video we had no clog, the stopper was adjusted too low and caused slow drainage. We just bought this house a few months ago and the slow drain in the bath tub was the only issue on the inspection I should have tackled months ago haha. Thank you sooo much.

[@johnferrell1962]

Big thanks from NY. I just successfully unclogged my tub and sink using what I just learn from this video. It took maybe 20 minutes and I pulled out so much hair and gonk. Much appreciated.

[@Samlol23_drrich]

Thank you so much for this video. I can fix almost anything but had no idea what the plumbing under a bathtub looked like since it’s not something I’m familiar with. Well I am now. The model was extremely helpful and now I can visualize where any potential blockages would be. I wonder how you would extract that stopper if it broke Inside the tub…..

[@kdmil2002]

I just used a ton of Drano max gel, in a bathtub drain, and it was not moving the clog. Then I watched a video that showed someone using a plunger on the drain. I just went into my bathroom and used a powerful plunger very vigorously and it totally moved the clog within 60 seconds. I am shocked. I have spent so much money on plumbers in the past. Thank God for KZbin. It has been saving me so much money lately.

[@noyb6845]

Plungers usually won't work in a tub drain because you have the overflow prevention drain up above and you'll be just forcing air up there with the plunger. You need to follow this video to really clear the drain.

[@esperanzagarcia4643]

Single mom here on a budget. This video was so helpful. Thank you.

[@turkalpha6884]

Thank you so much for this vid! I discovered that my stopper was too long even at full retraction. I simply just removed the whole dang thing. Chronic slow drain problem (even back when it was brand new) solved!

[@michaelaboros2084]

Still relevant in 2024... Grew up watching This Old House on PBS! Bought a $20 Kobalt 15-ft drain snake from Lowe's, followed along with Rich, it worked like a charm.

[@abefroman70]

Thank you for this post!! My tub was doing the exact same thing. No clogs whatsoever. Saw this video to see if it would help. It totally did and was exactly what I needed to do. I'm not a fix it kinda guy but gave me the confidence to attempt the simple things. Thanks again!!

[@aaronhurst1198]

2edxxfhk k 900

[@cwl206]

Ive got to share my story. we have a rental and yesterday I went to fix the clogged tub just like TOH showed here. The plate came off easy and the stopper behind came out really easy too. I started snaking and a few minutes in the overflow pipe behind the tub came freaking loose!!! there is NO WAY im the only one. yes ive snaked many times before but for time behind that plate. got it fixed eventually with my FILs help and turned out the main house sewer pipe needed to be snaked. regardless im glad for this video

[@francisr.bigras2605]

4 minutes video, 6 minutes work + 120$ in my pockets thank you sir

[@kannithyan]

Followed the exact steps he described in the video and it worked !

[@timroesch7992]

This video saved me from calling the plumber or ruining some other part of the drain. This Old House is the best.

[@Exayevie]

Seconded! I just fixed my own washing machine drain with a $13 drain snake from Harbor Freight and this video. What a feeling of liberation!

[@tettsubushi]

Great video! Another option is to do away with the stopper All together, get a solid replacement plate and just use a generic rubber stopper over the drain when you want to fill the tub. I’ve found this easier with my rentals… those metal stoppers can be a killer to get out or repair.

[@noyb6845]

I like that idea. The stopper and plate were full of corrosion along with the threaded rod. Hard well water here. I'll get to Home Depot Monday to get the new plate and a rubber external stopper to do that.

[@JR-yc4et]

God bless this show! I hated watching it as a kid because there was no cartoons on Sunday on PBS. But now, I see how valuable knowing basic home maintenance is to me after being put in these situations.

[@redpillyoass5894]

We had to watch it when there was no cartoons on too but we actually liked it as kids, especially this plumber guy! He was the most entertaining. Remember how they always had some weird part of something and they all would guess would it was? Me and my siblings loved it lol! It was no cartoons but better than Star Trek or golf.

[@pegbrabson]

Once again, Trethewey for the win.

[@steelcantuna]

I'm glad he showed how the plug works. I didn't have clog like I thought. It was the plug causing a slow drainage problem.

[@jamalbenthall151]

That was so deep. I'm a maintenance man . I just went through situation Earlier today. I never knew that. Thanks

[@GenericHandle54321]

Good stuff! The drain met it's match this Holiday season with my wife, daughter and sister in law, all with long hair, using the same shower! My normal drain clearing technique wasn't working. But with the help of this video, the water is now clearing out fast!

[@RJautotrade]

Just completed my first tub drain clogged fix…thx 4 video

[@WalrusWillpower]

This channel has saved me 2 visits from a plumber already. All I've bought was a drain auger like the one in the video for 20 bucks. Easily over $150 from you all. Much love

[@rob6850]

I needed this today. Good to see familiar helpful faces! Now I know what to try tomorrow.

[@BriansBest3085]

Thank you. Less than 10 min I was done. I looked like a hero to my roommate. Great video man.

[@yahellife3803]

This information save me so much because I have the same tools but didn't know what to do

[@YakanAutumn]

I remember watching this show with my dad everyday after school

[@vibingwithrissa8884]

omggg this is the best video and it helped so much!!!! I cannot thank you enough, I had my drain clogged for about a month and nothing ever worked. Then I came across this video and it saved meeee

[@Al_Sam_Jr]

Job done in my house too. Oldy but Goldy video. Appreciated.

[@gregoryagogo]

So much easier when 'the teacher' actually does the work!

[@michaellloyd7844]

Followed this, and boom drain clears like it never has before. So pleased that we avoid a plumber coming to the house.

[@MatthewColeman-ry7wo]

This worked perfectly, I was trying to go through the bottom drain not the overflow, soon as I switched I started pulling out a pile of hair. Drains perfectly now. Thanks!

[@brandoncassysbusymom1786]

I tried a bunch of over the counter solutions. Nothing worked. Bought the drum auger and went down the over flow but that didnt work. Finally I was able to get the snake head down the drain. It took about 10 ft of snake to get to the clog but it worked. Thanks Tommy and This Old House.

[@lr4600]

This video has been a life saver

[@davidv.780]

I was watching your videos. You saved my bacon, removing that back area there and dropping straight down with that snake got one for $20 at Lowe's man you saved me. Thank you. Worked perfectly

[@timfennessey7330]

I had a sudden clog and it turns out the drain plunger linkage assembly had fallen off the trip lever. So I just had to fish that out and reconnect. This was figured out all thanks to the video for explaining the trip lever mechanism.

[@bitshred]

this is a great video. Glad I watched it. I didn't even realize the design of the drain. I thought it was under the bottom drain like a sink. Anyway, I used an auger like this, pulled huge hair clumps out and now we are draining very quickly!

[@nick0liver446]

I tried it today on an old bathroom tub. I was always worried about jamming up the snake in the drain but this video gave me confidence to push it down farther and it worked perfectly. I pulled out a giant clump of hair thanks so much

[@shadronayne8760]

This worked for me after a plumber was stumped. I cranked it all the way to the top, not just 3/4", based on the water discoloration described and it still stops the water in tub mode - thank you!

[@BL4CKM4MB4247]

Worked like a charm. Had that tool for over 10 years and tried to use it before. But didn’t understand the way the drain worked.Your quick how to use helped me out. Unclogged my tub in 10 minutes. Thank you

[@marilynstovall9846]

Thank you!!! Im glad i watched this. I love This Is Our Old House series

[@jorach]

Thanks! I didn’t realize I should go in through the overflow because the stopper is in there. It makes sense in hindsight. Anyhow this worked perfect for me.

[@DontknowSina]

Thank you so much! Finally my mom let me unclog the drain. I hate the feeling of backed up water on my feet. This video helped a ton. 😆

[@ginathedriver]

I used this method to unstoppable my drain, I feel so empowered to have do this myself..thank a for the help...Girl Power

[@uncabral]

Drain clogged, found a 2nd hand Ridgid Kolimann exactly like this one. It's a great tool that every house should have!

[@jasonrood4445]

Wow, worked like a charm! A big ball of hair got pulled out. Love how you let us see how the drain looked as we were just guessing! Drain is draining away!

[@kobenewman5167]

I just did this and it saved me 200 dollars god I love KZbin and this man!

[@mrs.jennafrem2516]

THANK YOU for teaching me basic plumbing and saving me money.

[@FredJWalsh]

Easy and effective. Within minutes my new drain snake had pulled up a considerable wad of hair and gunk. Everything went as depicted in the video -- only better because pulling up the drain plug to start was easier for me. Thanks!

[@scottb8027]

Love this show, even better that its on KZbin now.

[@dhart28]

Your video was the first one I saw. I knew I had a snake, but I wasn't really familiar on how to use it. It isn't rocket science. I had to go directly down the main drain, because it doesn't have an overflow drain, but in less than 10 minutes, I had the clog out and it was draining freely. Thanks!

[@indigosunset70]

this old house never fails.

[@EricNeuls]

just snaked my bathtub using this video and it helped so much! thanks!

[@Rojrdat]

Straight to the point. No BS!

[@thraxmo1.045]

Worked like a charm, fixed a bathtub I had been wrestling with for awhile.

[@johnliuzza7838]

Hi Richard, just saw the video. Did exactly what you said. the snake only went so far and did not unclog the tub. Any other ideas.