WHEN YOUR TUB WON'T DRAIN: DIY FIXES THAT ACTUALLY WORK?
That’s a good point about drum traps—those things are a headache, especially if you’re not used to dealing with them. I’ve seen more than one person crack the cover or mess up the gasket trying to get it back on. And yeah, tossing the gunk in the trash is just basic common sense... but you’d be surprised what people do when they’re frustrated.
I’m curious—has anyone here actually had success with those pressurized drain bladders? The ones you hook up to a garden hose and jam down the pipe? I’ve tried them a couple times on stubborn clogs, and sometimes they work wonders, but other times it just seems like you’re risking blowing out an old joint or flooding your bathroom. Maybe it depends on how old your plumbing is or what kind of clog you’re dealing with.
Also, for folks who use wet/dry vacs—do you ever run into issues with splashback or making a bigger mess? I’ve found that if you don’t get a good seal around the drain, you end up spraying nasty water everywhere. Wondering if there’s some trick I’m missing there.
One thing I’ll mildly disagree on: enzyme cleaners can be decent for slow drains if you use them regularly, but yeah, once it’s fully blocked, they’re not doing much. Maintenance only.
Has anyone tried removing the overflow plate and snaking from there? Sometimes that gives better access than going straight down the drain, especially with tubs that have those crossbars blocking things. Just curious what people’s go-to move is when nothing else works—short of calling in a pro.
WHEN YOUR TUB WON'T DRAIN: DIY FIXES THAT ACTUALLY WORK?
I’ve had some “adventures” with those drain bladders and let’s just say my bathroom floor has seen better days. They’re awesome when they work, but if your pipes are old or the clog is really stubborn, it feels like you’re playing plumbing roulette. Last time I used one, it cleared the clog but also managed to blow a little water out of an ancient joint in the wall... which was a fun surprise.
Wet/dry vacs are my go-to, but yeah, if you don’t get a tight seal, it’s like a gross water fountain in your tub. I usually wrap an old towel around the nozzle to help seal it—doesn’t look pretty, but it keeps the splatter down.
Enzyme cleaners are fine for keeping things flowing, but if the water’s already ankle-deep, they’re basically just wishful thinking.
Removing the overflow plate totally saved me once when the crossbars blocked my snake. Not glamorous, but it worked. Just don’t drop the screws down the drain like I did... learned that one the hard way.
Drain bladders are a gamble, no doubt. They’re powerful, but if your pipes have any weak spots or old joints, you’re basically pressure-testing the whole system whether you want to or not. I’ve seen more than one “quick fix” turn into a call for drywall repair after water found its way out somewhere it shouldn’t. Wet/dry vacs are underrated, though—if you can get a seal, they’ll pull out hair and gunk that even a snake sometimes misses. Towel trick’s solid, but I’ve also used duct tape in a pinch to get a better vacuum.
Enzyme cleaners... I’m with you. Maintenance only. Once you’ve got standing water, you need mechanical action, not wishful chemistry.
Removing the overflow plate is smart—most people don’t realize how much access that gives you. Just curious, has anyone here tried those flexible plastic zip snakes? They’re cheap and surprisingly effective for hair clogs, though they won’t do much for anything deeper. Wondering if folks have had luck with those before reaching for the heavy artillery like bladders or vacs?
WHEN YOUR TUB WON'T DRAIN: DIY FIXES THAT ACTUALLY WORK?
Those zip snakes are honestly my go-to before I even think about dragging out the wet/dry vac or risking a bladder. They’re dirt cheap, and I’ve pulled out enough hair monsters to make a small wig—gross, but weirdly satisfying. For the usual slow drain, they get the job done way more often than not.
That said, if the clog’s deeper or it’s something nastier than hair, they’re pretty much useless. I tried one once when my kid dropped a little plastic toy down the tub drain (don’t ask), and all it did was poke at it. Ended up having to take apart the trap anyway.
I hear you on enzyme cleaners—maintenance only. I keep a bottle under the sink, but if water’s already pooling, it’s too late for gentle persuasion.
Honestly, I’m always a little nervous with bladders. My house is old, and I don’t need any more “surprise” leaks behind the walls. If the zip snake doesn’t work, I’ll usually try the vac next. Less risk, and you don’t have to patch drywall after.
Honestly, I’m always a little nervous with bladders. My house is old, and I don’t need any more “surprise” leaks behind the walls.
Totally get that—my place is from the 60s and I’m still learning what’s lurking behind the walls. I tried a bladder once and just kept picturing water spraying where I couldn’t see. The zip snake’s been my MVP so far, though I did have to fish out a Barbie shoe last month... not fun. You’re right about enzyme cleaners too—maintenance only, never saved me from a real clog.
