Why bath drains block
Hair and soap scum cause most bath blockages. Hair collects around the plug, and soap sticks to it. The mix grows until water struggles to pass.
Bath oils and bubble bath add to the problem. Meanwhile, small items such as hair clips can drop in and catch. For that reason, the first step is always to look at the plughole.
Accessing the bath waste
Remove the plug and any grate. Some plugs lift out, while others unscrew. Use a torch to look inside.
If you can see hair, pull it out with gloves on. Do not push it deeper. Keep a bag nearby, because the hair is slimy and best thrown in the bin.
The main clearance method: hair removal tool
A plastic hair removal tool is thin, cheap and easy to use. Slide it down the waste and twist gently. Pull it out slowly, since the hair clings to the barbs.
Repeat until the tool comes out clean. Then run hot water and watch the flow. In most cases this clears the problem in minutes.
Plunging the bath
If the water is still slow, use a flat-bottomed plunger. Seal the overflow with a wet cloth first, because air will escape there. Add enough water to cover the plunger cup.
Push and pull firmly about ten times. Then lift the plunger and check how the water drains. Repeat once or twice if it helps a little.
Clearing the trap under the bath panel
The trap sits below the bath waste. You may reach it through the bath panel, although some baths have no access. Place a bucket under the trap and unscrew it by hand.
Clear out the sludge, rinse the trap and refit it. Take care to seat the seals properly. Run the bath and check for leaks.
When the blockage is further in
If you clear the trap and the bath still drains slowly, the blockage may sit further along. It might also be in a shared waste pipe. In that case, other fittings may drain slowly too.
A drainage engineer can clear the pipe with the right equipment. You can request a free quote and we will pass your details to a local engineer.
Persistent recurrence
A bath that blocks again within weeks may have a poor slope or a damaged pipe. A camera survey can show what is going on. This is cheaper than guessing, because it shows the exact fault.
Prevention
Fit a hair catcher and empty it after every bath. Clear the plughole once a month. Avoid pouring thick oils or paint down the waste, since they stick to the pipe.
Related guides and local help
If you want to know more, read Blocked Drain Emergency: What to Do Right Now in the UK. You can also read Bathroom Drain Problems: Hair, Soap Scum and Real Fixes and Blocked Sink: Every Common Cause and How to Fix Each One, because they cover closely related problems.
These guides help too: Water Softener Guide: How They Work, Costs and Installation, 8 Common Causes of Blocked Outside Drains and What to Do, Water Efficiency in UK Homes: Practical Measures That Work, Drain Jetting vs Rodding: Which Method Is Right for You? and Understanding Your Water Bill: Metered vs Rateable Value. Each one explains a related topic in plain English.
Need help near you? Read our blocked drain guide first, or see Blocked Drains in Glasgow and Blocked Drains in Sheffield. You can also see Blocked Toilets in Berkhamsted, since every service page has a free quote form. We pass each request to a local drainage engineer.
