Why Is Your Tub Not Draining in West Chester, PA? 

Is there anything better than relaxing in the bathtub at the end of a long day, soaking those cares away? When you pull the drain plug, you expect the dirty water to drain away like all those stresses of the day. When you discover the tub not draining or even starting to fill up when you take a shower, your relaxed mood can disappear quickly.

As the preferred plumbers in West Chester, PA, MVP Plumbing has seen it all when it comes to slow or blocked tub and shower drains. It’s important to know what’s likely to cause these clogged drains and what to do. You might prevent a great deal of aggravation and expense. 

The Most Likely Reason For Your West Chester Tub Not Draining 

As you might expect, if your tub isn’t draining, there’s a clog in the pipe. The problem is to find out where. 

Where Do Clogs Congregate?

Clogs can develop anywhere in the plumbing system, growing silently over time until they wreak havoc on your routine. Clogs deep within the plumbing system will most likely cause problems within multiple drains, not just a single tub. If you have only one tub not draining, there’s more likely to be a blockage in that specific drain pipe. 

An isolated clog in your West Chester home is most likely due to:

• Hair 
• Soap scum buildup on the pipe walls 
• Bath bombs, especially those with additives like glitter and flower petals 
• Foreign objects 
• Personal care product buildup (i.e., shaving cream, bath oils, and makeup)
• Pipe damage, like corrosion, mineral buildup, or dents 

If the tub, bathroom sink, kitchen sink, or drains in the bathrooms aren’t draining,  the plumbing issue lies much deeper in the pipes – possibly in the main drain or sewer line.

What Is It When It’s Not a Clog?

While a clog is the most likely culprit, many other issues can keep the water from draining out of the bathtub. 

For example, your built-in stopper can malfunction, getting fully or partially stuck. A professional might use some pliers to remove it and clean off any accumulated gunk or hair. If the water drains immediately, a replacement will prevent ongoing issues. 

Another potential reason for a tub not draining is hard water buildup. West Chester‘s hard water has extra calcium and magnesium in the water supply, which can build up in the pipes or cause damage. Cleaning out and repairing the pipes – and investing in a water softener – can eliminate this problem.

What To Do About a Clogged Drain

If you suspect that the plumbing issues keeping your tub from draining are limited to that drain, you can try some simple tricks to get the water flowing again. 

Clear the Obvious Tub Blockage

Slip on a pair of gloves and reach into the drain to pull out anything that‘s stuck in the drain. If the problem is deeper in the pipe, this surface job might get the water moving slowly, but it won’t be a total solution. 

Snake the Tub Drain 

A plumber’s drain snake is a long, flexible tube with an auger at the end. Insert it carefully into the drain until it reaches a clog, and then slowly twist the auger and pull out the blockage. You might need to do this several times to completely clear the obstacle. 

Use Boiling Water, Baking Soda, and Vinegar 

If you have PVC pipes, don’t try this method.

Pouring boiling water down a clogged drain, as long as you don’t have PVC pipes, can melt residue on the inside of the pipes and dislodge the blockage. You can also try pouring half a cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by half a measure of vinegar, before the boiling water further breaks up the clog.

Do Not Use Drain Cleaners

Whatever you do, avoid using drain cleaners to address a tub clog. These products contain caustic chemicals that can do more harm than good. Rarely do drain cleaners completely eliminate the problem.