Some of us who have tried to clean out the tub drain were stopped dead in our tracks at Step 1—“How
can I clean out the drain if I can’t pull out the pop-up?” What makes it so daunting is that all the “guts” are
hidden behind the tub walls—unlike a sink, where you can peek under the vanity to see what’s going on.
In this project, you get an inside look at your bathtub and how to get it draining like a dream. If you’re lucky enough to have a tub stopper that simply pulls out, skip the Prep Work section and go to the steps where the pop-up and trip lever are already removed.
CONSIDER THIS
Be warned! If you have already poured a chemical drain cleaner down your tub drain, but the clog still persists, proceed with extreme caution. Wear rubber gloves and eye protection, and work with the fan on or a window open. These drain cleaners are very toxic, so take all of these precautions seriously. You do not want to be unprotected if any of the drain cleaner (or even its fumes) comes splashing up as you’re trying to pull out the stopper assembly.
WHAT YOU WILL NEED
Flathead and Phillips screwdrivers
Rubber gloves
Eye protection (if drain cleaner has been
used)*
Heatproof plumber’s grease
Old toothbrush or small wire brush
Rags
Plunger
Petroleum jelly
Baking soda
White vinegar
Boiling water
*If applicable
No comments:
Post a Comment