Like your car or other appliances in your house, drains need to be given regular maintenance. You should maintain your bathtub drain to keep water flowing freely and avoid any costly plumbing issues. By implementing only a few simple things in your bathroom, you can prevent clogs and avoid ever having to shower in a layer of old, grimy water.

Use a Drain Cover or Strainer

One of the best ways to prevent a bathtub drain from getting clogged is to utilize a drain cover or strainer. These products play a crucial role in preventing soap scum, debris, and, most importantly, hair from slipping down the drain and causing buildup. They are easy to remove and clean and are designed to grip tightly without preventing water from draining. 

A drain strainer either sits in the drain itself or sits over the drain. The style you need will depend on the style of your drain stopper. If you aren’t utilizing drain cover, make sure to use a drain snake or bent hanger to remove any hair you see. 

Flush Drain With Hot Water

Allowing hot water to flow through your drain after using your bathtub will prevent the build-up of soap scum and debris. You don’t need to waste water when flushing your drain; you only need to let the water run for one to two minutes. To further maintain your bathtub drain, you can pour boiling water down your drain every so often. 

Clean With Baking Soda and Vinegar 

Another great way to maintain your bathtub drain is to clean it weekly or monthly with a solution of vinegar and baking soda. This mixture can help keep your drain running smoothly. To clean a drain with baking soda and vinegar first:

• Pour a pot of boiling water down the drain
• Next pour in a cup of vinegar and a cup of baking soda 
• Shut the drain plug and wait for five to ten minutes
• Pour another pot of boiling water down the drain. This will remove the soap scum, hair, and debris from the pipes that the vinegar solution loosened up. 

How does vinegar and baking soda help clean drains? When you mix a base and an acid, such as vinegar, carbon dioxide and water are created and these two bubble and break up material, loosening clogs and keeping your drain open.

Avoid Oily or Greasy Products

It is well known that oil and grease can clog up drains. Most people may only focus on avoiding grease and oil in the kitchen, but it is important to be aware of oil and grease in your bath products. Conditioners, shampoos, and body oils can coat pipes and trap debris, especially hair. 

If you use any greasy products, make sure to rinse your drain thoroughly after your bath or shower. If you notice any product residue stuck to the bottom of the tub, make sure to wipe it up to avoid any unneeded excess eventually going down the drain. Make sure to also limit the amount of products with glitter or other small particles as these can lead to clogs. 

Use Your Bathtub as a Bathtub

It may be tempting to use your huge bathtub for more than just cleaning yourself. But you want to avoid activities that could contribute to buildup in the drain and pipes, such as cleaning rugs or mats. It may be convenient to wash bulky items in your bathtub, but it could mean costly repairs and problems down the road. 

Don’t Leave Out the Drain Stopper

Your bathtub drain stopper is an important part of the drain system. Make sure you clean it regularly if you aren’t using a drain cover. It can collect hair and soap scum that can contribute to a foul odor and other issues. To clean the stopper, unscrew it and wash it with soap, water, and an old toothbrush. 

Know When to Call a Professional

While the above tips should help you maintain your bathtub drain and avoid any problems, nothing is completely full proof. If you experience slow draining; foul smells; gurgling sounds; or water backing up into the tub, sink, or toilet, it may be time to call in a professional to assess the situation and provide cleaning services. 

At Drain X, we have years of experience handling tough bathtub drain clogs. If you need any help with maintenance or removing a clog or if you experience an emergency, you can give us a call. We will provide you with fast and effective results.