I just bought a house and moved in. I was cleaning the tub and realized the water was sitting in a pool and not going down the drain. I took the drain cover off but can't see or feel a clog. I don't have a plunger or any Draino, and I can't seem to find anything long to act as a "snake" to reach down the drain. I am home bound until a relative comes in a few days to bring me to a store (I'm disabled).
Does anyone have any quick fix ideas to unclog the drain until I can get to a store??
Thanks in advance!
Update:I don't have any wire hangers but just took a long piece of flexible plastic, cut some barbs into it with a razor knife and tried that. Nothing came up on the plastic, so not sure what else to try.
Of course I plan to fix it properly after the holiday, I'm just trying to unclog it for now so I can take a shower.
Answers & Comments
Verified answer
Sometimes vinegar and baking soda will work. If it's a bad clog you'll want to get acid from the hardware store.
If you can get under the tub, in the basement or under the house, you can try removing the p-trap to find the clog.
Since you just bought the house, I would be tempted to call the realtor. There may be some responsibility on the part of the seller to convey the house in a certain condition, for example if the drain was flowing fine during the inspection and now is clogged. I think this varies from place to place, so you need to find out what is true in your particular situation.
Meanwhile, here is an article with some other ideas for you: http://www.ehow.com/how_5520065_open-blocked-drain...
If you have an aqua vac, stick it over the plug hole, cover the overflow and suck. If you have a henry hoover by numatic you could do this but remove the bag first and only suck up a small amount of water at a time then empty the tank. Dont allow water to get too near the motor. If its double insulated (marked with a square inside a square in the UK) it will be ok for a quick suck.. Not sure if you have either of those things where you live. It will be hair in there.Good luck
Here's the tool you need- click here for a picture. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00270O46C/ref=asc_df_B00...
A decent hardware store should have this small hand held auger with a 1/4" cable. They are effective at grabbing the clog (usually hair) and retreiving it. You can stick it down both holes, the tub drain and the clean out just 10" or so above it, remove the chrome cover to insert the cable. This cable is small enough to make it through the p-trap with no problem, I have unstopped several hair clogs with this little hand held machine.
And here's how to operate it http://www.helium.com/items/761039-tips-for-using-...
Time to meet the neighbors. Go borrow a plunger you may even get the arm to go with it! There is no crime in asking for help and cookies make up for it!
You can unwind a wire coat hanger and use that. You might want to call a plumber and have him clean it right.
use a wire hanger straighten it out, poke it in the drain hole