How to Fix a Slow-Draining Bathtub
If you're standing in ankle-deep water by the end of every shower, your tub drain is clogged. Bathtub drains collect more hair than any other drain in your house, and that hair tangles with soap scum into dense clumps that restrict water flow. The real problem is usually hiding where you can't see it — deep in the drain pipe or wrapped around the overflow plate linkage. Clearing a tub drain takes a bit more work than a sink, but it's still a straightforward DIY job.
Time Required
20-45 minutes
Difficulty
Easy to Moderate
When to Call a Pro
If snake hits a hard stop
Step 1: Remove the Drain Cover or Stopper
- Screw-in drain covers: Most tub drain covers have one or two screws visible on the surface. Remove them with a Phillips screwdriver. The cover lifts right out. If the screws are corroded, spray with WD-40 and wait 10 minutes before trying again.
- Push-pull stoppers: These push down to close and pull up to open. To remove, pull the stopper up to the open position, then grip the knob and twist counterclockwise to unscrew the entire stopper from the crossbar post below.
- Lift-and-turn stoppers: Lift the stopper to the open position. Look for a small set screw on the side of the stopper body. Loosen it with a flat-head screwdriver, then lift the stopper off the post.
- Toe-touch stoppers: Push down once to close, push again to open. To remove, open the stopper, then grip the cap and turn counterclockwise. The entire cylinder unscrews from the drain crossbar.
- Trip-lever stoppers: These have no visible stopper in the drain — the mechanism is inside the overflow tube. You'll remove it from the overflow plate (covered in Step 3).
Step 2: Extract Hair and Debris
Use a zip-it tool or needle-nose pliers
Push a zip-it tool (a barbed plastic strip) as far down into the drain as it will go, then slowly pull it back out. The barbs catch hair on the way up. You'll likely pull out a disgusting wad of hair and soap — that's exactly what's been slowing your drain. Repeat until you're no longer pulling out debris.
Flush with baking soda and vinegar
After removing the bulk of the hair, pour 1/2 cup of baking soda followed by 1/2 cup of vinegar into the drain. Cover it and wait 15-30 minutes. Flush with hot water for a full minute. This dissolves remaining soap scum coating the pipe walls.
Test the drain flow
Run the tub faucet for 30 seconds and watch how quickly the water drains. If it flows freely, you're done. If it's still slow, the clog is deeper — move to Steps 3 and 4.
Step 3: Clean the Overflow Plate Assembly
- Locate the overflow plate: It's the round metal cover on the tub wall, usually a few inches below the faucet. It has one or two screws holding it in place.
- Remove the screws and pull out the plate: Unscrew the plate and gently pull it away from the wall. If your tub has a trip-lever drain, a long linkage rod with a plunger or rocker arm at the end will come out with it. This mechanism is almost always caked in hair and soap scum.
- Clean the entire assembly: Use an old toothbrush and dish soap to scrub the linkage, plunger, and the inside of the overflow hole as far as you can reach. This buildup alone is often the main cause of slow tub drains.
- Reassemble carefully: Feed the linkage back into the overflow hole, position the plate, and tighten the screws. Test the stopper mechanism to make sure it opens and closes properly before running water.
Step 4: Use a Drain Snake
Choose your entry point
You can feed the snake through the drain opening or the overflow hole. The overflow hole often gives a more direct path to the P-trap and is the better choice for most tub clogs. Remove the overflow plate first.
Feed the snake and crank the handle
Push the snake cable into the opening while turning the handle clockwise. When you feel resistance, you've hit the clog. Work the snake back and forth while cranking to break through or hook the obstruction. A 15-25 foot hand snake is sufficient for tub drains.
Pull out the snake and flush
Slowly retract the snake while continuing to turn the handle. The clog material often wraps around the snake tip and comes out with it. Run hot water for a full minute to flush any remaining debris. Repeat if the drain is still slow.
Step 5: Install a Hair Catcher
- TubShroom or DrainWig: These popular products sit inside the drain opening and catch hair before it enters the pipe. TubShroom wraps hair around its body; DrainWig hangs a chain of small hooks inside the drain. Both work well.
- Flat silicone covers: These sit over the drain and use small holes to let water through while catching hair on top. They're the easiest to clean — just pick up and wipe into the trash.
- Stainless steel mesh screens: These dome-shaped screens sit over the drain opening and catch everything. They're the most durable option and dishwasher-safe.
- Clean after every shower: No hair catcher works if you leave it full. Make it a habit to wipe collected hair into the trash after each shower. It takes 5 seconds and prevents 95% of tub drain clogs.
Pro Tips
- •Don't ignore a slowly worsening drain: A tub that drains a little slower each week has a growing clog. Address it while it's still partial — waiting until it's fully blocked means a harder job and possibly a plumber visit.
- •The overflow is the secret culprit: Most people never clean the overflow plate assembly. If you've cleaned the visible drain and it's still slow, the overflow linkage is almost certainly packed with hair. This is the single most overlooked cause of slow tub drains.
- •Use enzyme cleaners monthly: Bio-enzyme drain treatments break down hair and soap scum over time. Pour them in before bed once a month for ongoing prevention. They're safe for all pipe types and septic systems.
- •Brush hair before showering: A quick brush before getting in the shower removes loose hair that would otherwise end up in the drain. This simple habit significantly reduces tub drain clogs, especially for people with long hair.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my bathtub drain so slowly even though I clean it regularly?
The visible drain opening is only the start. Hair and soap scum accumulate deep inside the drain pipe, in the P-trap, and especially around the overflow plate linkage — a mechanism most people never clean. Removing the overflow plate and pulling out the connected stopper linkage often reveals a massive buildup of hair and soap that restricts flow even when the visible drain looks clean.
Can I use a drain snake in a bathtub?
Yes, and it's one of the most effective methods. You can feed the snake through the drain opening or through the overflow hole (after removing the overflow plate). The overflow route is often better because it gives the snake a straighter path into the P-trap where most clogs form. Use a 15-25 foot hand snake — longer power snakes are unnecessary for tub drains.
What is the best hair catcher for a bathtub drain?
TubShroom is the most popular option — it sits inside the drain and catches hair around its cylindrical body. Flat silicone drain covers work well too and are easier to clean. Stainless steel mesh screens are the most durable option. The best one is whichever you'll actually clean regularly. Any hair catcher left uncleaned becomes a clog itself.