Tub and shower repairs are all too common throughout Northern Utah residential properties, so here are some tips to support you in these pesky plumbing situations!
It’s a good likelihood that you regularly clean out your bathtubs as a part of your cleaning efforts, but how often do you conduct thorough drain cleaning?
Many tub and shower repairs will be rooted in a bathtub’s drain, and this is because your drains are more than likely going to harbor all sorts of grime like hair and soap scum over long periods of time. And as time goes on, these substances can end up becoming pretty serious clogs that will require professional assistance.
The Master Plumbers at Beehive Plumbing will always be there for you and your plumbing system when you’re experiencing a serious clog issue, and we also want to be there for everyone when it comes to developing good prevention habits to avoid these issues and keep drains clear and running smoothly.
So here are 4 easy steps to keep in mind to help you make bathtub drain cleaning a more consistent part of your regular household upkeep:
1. Removing Your Tub Stopper
The first step to this type of drain cleaning and really getting to all of that soap and hair is to remove your bathtub’s stopper. Some bathtub stoppers will have screws that you’ll need to remove, and others can be manually twisted off.
The following are three types of tub stoppers, and how to properly remove them:
- Toe-Touch Tub Stoppers: This is a circular stopper that’s usually flat at the top, and it doesn’t have any type of knobs/tabs because you’ll only need to touch the stopper with your toe to close it. You’ll need to grasp the bottom of the stopper while it’s open and slowly turn the cap counterclockwise to remove it, and sometimes you’ll need a screwdriver to fully remove the stopper from a shaft cylinder.
- Lift-And-turn Tub Stoppers: This type of stopper entails a knob that needs to be lifted when you’re trying to open or close the drain, and you’ll also need to firmly grasp the stopper’s body while turning the knob counterclockwise to remove it. Some of these stoppers will have a screw, and if this is the case for you then you’ll also need an Allen wrench to properly loosen it enough to lift the stopper.
- Push-Pull Tub Stoppers: This stopper looks similar to a lift-and-turn tub stopper, but the mechanism is just a little different. You’ll simply need to push or pull the stopper to force it up and down, and all you’ll need to do when it comes to removing it is to turn the knob counterclockwise. It’s possible that you may need pliers to twist this knob, and you also may need a screwdriver to properly remove the bass insert from the stopper’s center.
2. Thoroughly Cleaning The Strainer And The Stopper
It’s pretty likely that there’s a significant amount of buildup that’s resting just underneath your bathtub’s stopper and strainer. Once you’ve properly removed your stopper, you can then get to scrubbing and manually cleaning out as much gunk as you possibly can.
A natural drain cleaning home remedy that we recommend is a mixture of white vinegar and water, but there of course are many different DIY drain cleaning solutions available to you!
3. Utilizing A Drain Snake
There are many scenarios in which a drain snake is your best option for bathtub repairs and clogging issues, and these plumbing tools are many times best to leave in the hands of seasoned professionals. But drain snakes are now found in just about any home improvement store; so it is possible for you to utilize a drain snake as a part of your DIY drain cleaning efforts.
What you’ll do with a drain snake is slowly push the wiry tool into your drain just a few inches until you’ve reached your drain trap. You’ll then move the snake back and forth in order to pick up as much hair as possible, and this process may need to be repeated a few times.
4. Stop Utilizing Over-The-Counter Liquid Drain Cleaners And Instead Choose Natural Drain Cleaning Alternatives
Everyone knows about the multitude of liquid drain cleaning options on the market, but a lot of people don’t realize that these products can actually do more harm than good to the integrity of their pipes. Using liquid drain cleaners will put you at a much higher risk of incurring a pipe burst or other type of emergency plumbing situation, so it’s a good thing that you’ll have some good natural alternatives to these harmful chemical substances, including:
- Baking soda and vinegar
- Enzyme-based cleaners
Reach Out To Beehive Plumbing To Learn More About How We Can Support You With Tub And Shower Repairs!
Beehive Plumbing has helped many different home and business owners throughout Northern Utah with their tub and shower repairs, and we’ll always answer your questions and have one of our specialists come over to your property to make sure that your bathtub drains and showers are returned to full functionality.
So feel free to contact us online or call us at 801-661-8155 to get in touch with our team and let us know what’s going on with your tub or shower!
