What You Need to Know About Your Tub's Health
What's wrong with your tub? If your bath leaves behind a dirty ring of gunk and debris or standing water, take a look at the questions to ask right now.
Does the Bathtub Drain?
Clogs are top tub problems homeowners experience. If the water doesn't drain or drains slowly, it's likely something is stuck in the drain. Hair, soap scum, hard water, or leftover debris (such as sand from a day at the beach) can clog your tub's drain. Before you try to plunge or snake the clog-causing culprit out, call a professional plumber.
Bathtub clog removal may seem simple. But this isn't a do-it-yourself job. A licensed plumber can:
- Inspect the area. The plumber won't just look at the standing water. They'll inspect the drain and the surrounding area. This may include other bathroom fixtures, such as the toilet or the sink (if the plumber thinks the clog isn't necessarily in the tub's drain).
- Evaluate the sewer line. Is the plumbing problem in the sewer line? A clogged main line can back up into the tub and other fixtures. If the plumber can't find an obvious problem with the tub's direct drain, they can evaluate your home's main sewer line.
- Unclog the tub. Whether the clog is inches into the tub's drain, farther down, or in the sewer main, the plumber can remove it. This typically requires the use of a snake or power auger.
A bathtub clog that results from a sewer main issue may not respond to a snake service. The plumber will need to inspect the main line and clean it. This repair is not done from the bathroom or the tub itself. Instead, the plumber will need to work on the area of the clog - possibly in your basement or yard.
Is the Backup Unexplained?
You haven't showered or bathed today. But the tub is filled with water that won't go down the drain. If the water isn't leftover from recent use, something else is at fault for this plumbing problem.
Unexplained water backup could come from:
- A sewer main clog. When a main sewer line clog goes untreated, wastewater backups eventually extend into other areas of the home - such as the tub.
- A severe tub clog. It's possible the water from yesterday's shower never fully drained. A complete clog will leave your tub full until the plumber removes the problem.
- A deep clog. Some clogs are located in between the tub's drain and the main sewer line. A deep clog could cause water to back up from other fixtures or stay in your tub.
While it's tempting to pour chemical drain cleaner into standing water, this DIY option isn't advisable. Even though leftover or unexplained standing tub water requires a fast fix, leave this repair to the professionals.
Is the Tub Dirty for No Reason?
Bathtubs get dirty. Despite the steady stream of running water and soap, hard water, shampoo residue, hair, and general debris can leave the tub in less than perfect condition. If you haven't cleaned the tub in a while or recently showered after a day at the beach, a camping trip, or any other messy activity, you know where the tub-coating debris came from.
When the tub looks dirty and there's no reason or explanation, the problem could come from:
- A slow drain. Even though the water drains, it could drain slowly. A sluggish drain could leave behind hair and other debris on the sides of the tub.
- A sewer line backup. A wastewater backup can also leave behind a layer of gunk and debris in the tub.
- Hard water. This common plumbing issue can cause soap scum to accumulate in your shower or tub.
Like a clog or sluggish drain, unexplained tub debris also requires professional attention from a licensed plumbing contractor.
Does your tub have a clog? Contact Daytona Plumbing for more information.Contact Us
