Plugged Tub Drain

[Bob P.]

Well' the tub drain has been plugged for three days now, and the family is getting kind of grubby. I fought with it all weekend. Here's what I know/did: 80 year home, tub clogged. First tried drain cleaner - no work. Then tried plunging - no work - but I did succeed in causing a bunch of leaks around the tub drain which caused me to replace the tub drain and overflow, but that's another story. Finally discovered a clean-out in a linen closet adjacent to the bathroom. Ascertained that the "U" from the tub to the clean-out is not clogged. Tried to rout-out from the clean-out to wherever, maybe 15 feet, and it's still plugged solid. My basement ceiling is plastered so I can't see any piping except for what I tore up yesterday. Any ideas before I call a plumber? How about drain cleaner from the clean-out to wherever?

Thanks in advance.

[jim]

keep pouring the chemicals in the drain and you gonna eat the pipe up and really need a plumber...

[Speedy Jim]

Rent a small powered drain clean auger: hand-held, looks like a drill. (You can buy a snake-in-a-drum to fit on a drill but these are usually too small for this job.)

I'm not a fan of the pipe-eating chemicals; you probably have ancient galvanized iron drain pipe.

Jim

[Stormin Mormonn]

Maybe a longer snake? They also make expanding blubble gadgets to fit on the end of a garden hose. Turn the water on, and the bubble expands and keeps shooting water.

Longer snake sounds like a good idea.

Might also be able to get some drain cleaner into the pipe with a funnel and a long, thin hose?

[Childfree Scott]

I'd say that's part of your problem. Having a ceiling in the basement is pointless.

I recently used a mechanical drain cleaner (The Rigid tool one that Home Depot sells for ~20-something bucks; I think it's 25 feet long). I used it 5 times and got clumps of hair 3 times and nothing 2 times. So you might need to try it a few times or use a longer one as someone else already suggested.

[mwlogs]

Why is a basement ceiling "pointless"? If the area is finished as living space, it seems reasonable. Beside, what if his bath had been on the second floor. He'd have the same problem.

[DaveG]

Call in a pro, they'll have it snaked out in a jiffy. Sure it'll run you some bucks, but it beats the hell out of loosing the use of your bathtub. Either that or rent a snake and try it yourself. Dave