How to dissolve hair in a bathroom drain: 5 methods

Blockages in the bathroom definitely cannot be called a pleasant sight: clearing hair from the bathroom drain can be quite problematic due to the accumulated water and the terrible smell of the sewer. There are several quick cleaning techniques, but the resource purity-en.htgetrid.com recommends not to let the drain become clogged, but to resort to preventive measures.

Simple ways to clean a drain

The bathtub drain hole is most often clogged by human hair: it becomes unsightly tangled and interferes with the passage of water. The bundle gradually collects other small debris: pet hair, threads, pieces of soap, etc. If such a blockage is not removed, an unpleasant odor will appear. Most often, the problem of hair accumulation worries owners of a bathtub with a cross drain plug.

There are other reasons for frequent blockages, in addition to neglecting to clean the plumbing: this is the abundance of drained garbage and problems in the sewer system itself. Try to control the amount of debris that gets into the bathtub. Leave plumbing repairs and replacements to professionals.

You can remove clogs from hair in a bathtub drain using mechanical and chemical means. Let's start by cleaning with various items.

plunger

A plunger is the first assistant in case of clogged plumbing.This item with a round rubber nozzle uses pressure to break through the blockage in the pipe.

How to properly clean a bathtub with a plunger:

1. Place the rubber nozzle so that it completely covers the drain hole.
2. Fill the tub with enough water to cover the rubber liner.
3. Lower the handle of the plunger down and pull it out sharply to push through the clog. Sometimes you have to work for a few minutes. For convenience, choose plungers with a long handle.

Advice
You can use a plunger not only when the drain is extremely clogged. Periodically fill the container with water and clean it.

Cable

A plumbing cable is a savior in the most difficult situations. This is a long thin metal object with a convenient handle for rotation.

How to get rid of hair in a pipe using a cable:

1. Place the object into the tube and carefully push it as far as possible.
2. Rotate the handle.
3. As soon as the resistance becomes noticeably weaker, move the cable back and forth. When the blockage breaks through, remove the cable and turn on high water pressure to finally push the debris into the drain.

Important
Be careful when mechanically cleaning the drain, especially if the pipes are plastic.

Remove manually

If there is not much hair, it is easy to get it out with your hands. It is advisable to do this after each use of the bath. A more tenacious tool is a crochet hook or a hook bent from hard wire with a fairly long handle. In any case, use protective rubber gloves to avoid touching dirt.

Periodically, it is worth opening the siphon itself and cleaning it from the inside, especially if an unpleasant odor penetrates from the sewer into the room.

How to remove the siphon and clean it:

1. To begin, place a piece of cloth directly under the siphon so that it absorbs moisture, and place a bucket. Protect the floor from dirt.
2. Slowly unscrew the stopper nut, then remove the flask.
3. Water for the water seal from the opened siphon will immediately flow into the bucket, and some of the garbage will fall out there.
4. Use your hand or a hook to check that a large lump of dirt is not stuck in the body of the siphon (for example, toothpicks that stand across are reluctant to come out).
5. Wipe the siphon with a cloth containing detergent. Try to clear it of plaque.
6. Reassemble the siphon in reverse order, check the tightness by turning on the water.
7. It is also recommended to open and clean the siphon for preventive purposes, without waiting for the pipe to become clogged. It is enough to do this once every 2-4 months, depending on the number of people in the family.

Sometimes removing the flask is not enough. If a lump of dirt (from rust, feces of pets and babies, etc.) has grown in the pipes, you have to disconnect the siphon from the overflow and drain, clean the pipes with a hook or cable, and wipe with a brush or napkin. After this, having assembled the structure back, it is necessary to carry out dry cleaning. Such problems are especially typical for old corrugated pipes older than 10 years.

A tricky way to quickly clean a pipe without disassembling parts:

1. Unscrew the drain cover.
2. Cut a long strip of wide tape.
3. Place the tape into the drain hole and run it along the walls.
4. Hair and other debris will stick to the tape.
5. Repeat the procedure a couple of times to collect as much debris as possible.
6. Complete the procedure by flushing the pipe with water.

How to dissolve a blockage

Unlike solid objects (jewelry, toys and their parts, toothpicks or cotton swabs, etc.), hair in the bathroom drain can be dissolved.Both industrial and some folk remedies are suitable for this.

Industrial product

There are a lot of products available for blockages, but it is better to choose one that says “dissolves hair and fur.” Also read the instructions: not all chemicals are suitable for use in a certain type of sewer pipe. For example, aggressive “Mole” is not recommended for plastic.

Cleaners come in liquid (gels) and dry (powders). The latter type is combined with a small amount of water, and it usually shows greater effectiveness.

Advice
Never over-expose the product, pour it strictly for the time specified in the instructions, otherwise the pipes may become deformed and will have to be replaced. Also, do not rush to wash it off, let the chemical work, and after washing it off, do not use the bathroom for a while so that the product can clean further areas of the pipe.

Remember to wear protective gloves and ventilate the bathroom after using chemical products.

Soda and vinegar

If you don't have time to run to the hardware store for professional products, use what you always have on hand. Ordinary soda and vinegar do an excellent job of removing various dirt and blockages.

How to remove a blockage using the folk method:

1. If there is water in the bathroom that is not going through the pipe, scoop it out.
2. Now pour about half a packet of baking soda down the drain.
3. After a couple of minutes, turn on the hot water tap. The soda will begin to hiss and go deeper into the pipe.
4. Instead of water, you can pour a glass of table vinegar. A violent reaction will begin, which will clear the blockage. After the hissing stops, turn on the hot water.

Advice
Manufacturers of chemical pipe cleaners recommend using them for preventive purposes once every 1-2 months.

Tip from purity-en.htgetrid.com magazine: think about why the drain quickly becomes clogged with hair. Check your health if you are losing a lot of hair. Also, when washing your hair, do not scrub the skin, do not pull out hair, use mild shampoos and conditioners.

How to prevent hair from getting caught

Preventing the drain from clogging with hair is the main task of the housewife. The first protective measure is to install a mesh over the drain hole, which will trap hair and prevent it from getting into the pipe. A special device for catching and removing hair, which is sold complete with siphons, will also help to maintain the cleanliness of the bathtub.

Preventive measures include the already mentioned plunger and gels/powders to dissolve debris. But do not overuse the products so as not to damage the pipes.

The cleanliness of the bath is in your hands. Do not ignore the first signs of a blockage: you will be more comfortable taking water procedures in a clean bath with quick drainage of used water.