How to fix a clogged bathtub

We'll clear the bathtub drain using a plunger, baking soda and vinegar, or a drain snake.

What you'll need

At a glance

Remove the drain cover or stopper and pull out visible hair with needle-nose pliers.
Use a cup plunger—block the overflow with a wet rag so pressure builds in the drain.
Feed a drain snake into the opening until you feel resistance; crank to break through the clog.
Baking soda and vinegar can help with soap buildup; flush with hot water after 15–20 minutes.
Call a plumber if the snake hits a hard stop or water backs up from other fixtures.

Quick triage — pick your path

Choose the option that matches what you see. You can jump straight to that section.

Goal: Remove the cover, clear visible debris, and try the simplest fix first.

Unscrew or pry up the drain cover. Remove the stopper. Pull out hair with needle-nose pliers.
Good: Water drains after removing debris. Proceed to Verification.
Bad: Still blocked—proceed to Try the plunger.

Goal: Use a cup plunger to clear soft clogs (hair, soap) near the opening.

Block the overflow with a wet rag. Fill the tub with enough water to cover the rubber cup.
Press the plunger down to form a seal and pump firmly 10–15 times. Verify that water drains freely.
Good: Water drains freely. Proceed to Verification.
Bad: No change—try Flush with hot water or Baking soda and vinegar.

Goal: Loosen soap and grease buildup.

Pour very hot tap water into the drain in stages. For PVC pipes, use very hot tap water only—not boiling.
Good: Standing water swirls and drops. Proceed to Verification.
Bad: No change—try Baking soda and vinegar or Drain snake.

Goal: Break down soap buildup with a safe, non-chemical treatment.

Pour half a cup of baking soda into the drain, then half a cup of white vinegar. Cover, wait 15–20 minutes, flush with hot water.
Good: Water drains at normal speed. Proceed to Verification.
Bad: Still slow—try the drain snake.

Goal: Reach deeper blockages that the plunger cannot clear.

Feed a hand-crank drain snake into the opening until you feel resistance. Crank clockwise to bore through or hook the clog.
Pull back slowly. Run water and verify the drain flows at full speed.
Good: Water drains at full speed. Proceed to Verification.
Bad: Snake hits a hard stop—see When to get help.

Call a plumber if:

The snake hits a hard stop that will not budge (could be a pipe fitting or main-line blockage).
Water backs up from other fixtures (suggests main-line blockage).
You smell sewage (possible main-line or vent issue).

Reviewed by Blackbox Atlas

Was this helpful?