Why is my bathtub not draining?

Causes of a slow draining bathtub

Are you trying to work out why your bathtub is not draining? Slow draining bathtubs are often caused by a blockage in the pipes. The first step to fixing the problem is to find out what is clogging up the drain.

Common bathtub blockage culprits include:

Hair

Hair can cause big problems for bath and shower drains. Overtime, hair strands can clump together in the pipes and create a blockage.

A web of hair in the bath drainage system can also catch soap scum and other debris. If this happens, the blockage will get worse and your bathwater will take even longer to drain away.

Households with long-haired inhabitants are more prone to bath draining problems.

Soap

A slow draining bath can also be caused be a buildup of soap scum inside the pipes. Residue from bath and shower products can coat the pipes and make it difficult for water to flow at a regular speed.

Hard water

Your bathtub may not be draining because your property uses hard water. Minerals from hard water can buildup inside the pipes and clog up the drain.

Other debris

As well as soap scum and hair, other types of debris can cause your bathtub to suddenly stop draining.

For example, small toys, wipes and other objects can go down the bathtub plug hole. Trapped items in the pipes will slow the usual flow of draining water.

A pipe blockage of some kind is the most common cause of a bathtub that won’t drain.

Old pipes or a faulty bathtub stopper can also stop water from draining away efficiently. We will look into this in more detail later.

How to fix a slow draining bathtub

Before clearing the blockage, you will need to identify the source of the problem.

Slow draining is typically caused by a buildup of hair in the drain. Look down the plug hole and pull out as much hair as you can. If the water continues to drain slowly or stand after your next bath, there is likely a blockage further down in the pipes.

Here are six ways you can fix a slow draining bathtub:

Boiling water

Pouring recently boiled water into your bath’s drain can effectively dissolve a buildup of soap scum.

This unclogging method is typically only successful when dealing with a minor blockage. A different approach will be needed if there is a large buildup of debris inside your bath’s pipes.

Homemade solution

No joy with the boiling water? No problem. You may have more luck unclogging the drain by using a homemade solution.

Follow these steps to make an effective drain unblocking home remedy:

• Pour a cup of baking soda into the bathtub drain
• Immediately pour a cup of white vinegar down the drain
• The vinegar and baking soda will react with each other. The two substances will fizz together and break down the debris clogging up the pipes
• Don’t pour anything else down the drain for 15 minutes
• Once 15 minutes have passed, pour boiling water down into the plug to rinse out the pipes

This method should only be used once the bathwater has slowly drained away through the clogged pipes. Adding the homemade solution to standing water in the bathtub will be ineffective.

Plunger

Speaking of standing water, it’s time to get your plunger ready! Plunging is an effective and easy way to fix a bathtub that is not draining at all.

Place the plunger firmly over the bath’s plug hole. Make sure there is a tight seal and then pump the plunger up and down.

This simple method may be all that is needed to get your bath water draining again. However, it can take several attempts to successfully clear a blockage with a plunger.

Drain snake

If plunging hasn’t worked, you may have more success with a drain snake.

Unblocking a bathtub with a drain snake is fairly straightforward. Insert the flexible metal tool into the plug hole and gently push it down until you feel resistance. Next, twist and push the snake around to break apart the debris causing the blockage.

Chemical cleaners

Shop-bought chemical drain unblocking products can help you to deal with a slow draining bathtub. We recommend using these products as a last resort as the chemicals used can be dangerous.

Use chemical cleaners with caution, and avoid splashing the solution when pouring it into the drain. Also, protect your skin and eyes and keep the solution away from children.

Always read the product’s instructions carefully and keep in mind that frequent use can damage your pipes.

Hire a plumber

Clearing a blocked bathtub is sometimes easier said than done. This is because DIY unblocking methods are not always effective.

We recommend hiring a plumber if your bathtub still won’t drain after snaking, plunging or trying any of the other methods mentioned above. An experienced plumber can identify what is stopping your tub from draining and use expert techniques to fix the problem.

If there is a blockage deep in the system, a drain clearance expert may be needed. These tradespeople use specialist equipment to investigate the pipes and successfully clear away more severe blockages.

Bathtub draining slowly but not clogged – what to do

A slow draining bathtub is not always caused by blocked pipes. If your bathtub is draining slowly but isn’t clogged, old pipes or a faulty stopper may be to blame.

Water cannot always flow freely through old, corroded pipes. You may be able to fix drainage issues by hiring a professional to reline your home’s outdated and damaged pipes.

An experienced drain specialist can advise on the best pipe repair options for your home.

Alternatively, a faulty stopper can cause a bathtub to stop draining.

The drain stopper is located behind the overflow plate (the metal circle installed on the wall of the tub, below the taps). The overflow plate will need to be removed before the stopper can be inspected.

Slow draining can happen when the stopper’s lever is stuck in a closed or partially closed position. This fault can stop the drain from fully opening, causing the bathwater to stand in the bathtub.

Locating and inspecting the drain stopper can be challenging without the correct tools and knowledge. Leave the hard work to the professionals and hire an experienced plumber to fix the problem.

How much does it cost to hire a plumber?

The cost of fixing a slow draining bathtub varies. Plumbers charge an average hourly rate of £45.

Some plumbers charge by the day, not the hour. The average plumber day rate is £360. If a tradesperson charges a set day rate, it can be more cost-effective to have all of your plumbing repairs done at the same time.

Take a look at our plumber cost guide for more information.

Key takeaways

• Slow draining bathtubs are often caused by a buildup of hair or soap scum in the pipes
• Toys and other objects can clog up a bath’s drain and cause standing water
• Common fixes for a bathtub that won’t drain include plunging, drain snaking, pouring boiling water or homemade solutions into the plug hole
• Slow draining bathtubs can be the result of corroded pipes or a faulty drain stopper
• The average hourly rate for a professional plumber is £45

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