Quick answer
Most clogged bathtub drains are hair and soap caught on the stopper or its linkage, or packed in the trap just below. Remove the stopper (most unscrew or lift out), pull out the hair, and on trip-lever tubs remove the overflow plate and clean the plunger or spring on the linkage. Then use a plastic drain tool or a small hand snake. If the tub, toilet and sink all drain slowly, the clog is in the branch or main line. HomeServe puts drain cleaning at $100–$275. Call (888) 217-6781 to reach a plumbing company taking calls in your ZIP.
Follow the short menu, then your 5-digit ZIP. The line goes quiet for a few seconds while it connects; stay on. If it does not connect, call once more: companies taking calls change minute to minute.
Written & reviewed by Marcus ReedIICRC WRT
Reviewed November 4, 2026· Next review May 2027
A bathtub that drains slowly, or leaves water standing after a shower, is almost always blocked within the first foot of pipe. Hair binds with soap scum on the stopper, the linkage behind the overflow, or in the trap.
Find the Stopper Type
| Stopper | How it comes out |
|---|---|
| Lift-and-turn | Turn to open, then unscrew the knob or the whole stopper |
| Push-and-pull (toe-touch) | Unscrew the cap, then the shaft |
| Pop-up with a trip lever | Pull the stopper and rocker arm straight up |
| Plunger type (trip lever, no stopper visible) | Remove the overflow plate and lift out the linkage |
Clear It
- 1Remove the stopper and pull out the hair wrapped around it.
- 2Use a plastic barbed drain tool down the drain to hook out more.
- 3On trip-lever tubs, remove the overflow plate (two screws) and pull out the linkage. Hair often collects on the plunger or spring at the bottom.
- 4Run a small hand snake through the overflow opening, which reaches the trap more easily than the drain.
- 5Flush with hot water and fill the tub a few inches to test.
Plunging can work if you block the overflow opening with a wet rag first; otherwise the air escapes there.
Talk to a plumber about this
One call reaches a plumbing company taking calls in your ZIP.
When It Is Further Down
If the tub, toilet and sink are all slow, or the tub gurgles when the toilet flushes, the clog is in the shared branch or the main line. See drain gurgling and main sewer line clog.
What It Costs
HomeServe puts drain cleaning at $100–$275. See how much to snake a drain and drain cleaning.
The Call
Call when the stopper and trap are clear and it is still slow, or several fixtures back up together. (888) 217-6781 connects you to a plumbing company taking calls in your ZIP. Follow the short menu, enter your 5-digit ZIP and stay on while it connects; if it does not connect, call once more, because the companies taking calls change minute to minute.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I unclog a bathtub drain?
Remove the stopper and pull out the hair, clean the trip-lever linkage behind the overflow plate, then run a small hand snake or a plastic drain tool into the trap.
Should I use chemical drain cleaner in a bathtub?
It is better not to. Hair clogs resist it, it can damage older pipes and finishes, and it makes the water dangerous to work in if the drain stays blocked.
Why does my tub drain slowly but the sink is fine?
The clog is in the tub's own stopper or trap. If several fixtures are slow together, the shared branch or main line is blocked.
Sources
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Disclaimer: HearthDry is an independent educational resource. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional, legal, or insurance advice. Consult licensed professionals before making decisions about your property or insurance claims.
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