Domakihub How to Unclog a Bathtub Drain in 5 Steps
Clear hair and soap blockages yourself before calling a plumber.
Reviewed by Domakihub home & decor pros · 2026-06-23 · 4 min read
A slow or standing bathtub drain is one of the most common plumbing complaints in homes, holiday rentals, and hotel rooms across Greece — and in most cases you can fix it in under 30 minutes with tools already in the house. The video above from This Old House shows the full process in clear detail; this guide breaks it into five ordered steps with tips specific to the fixtures you will find in Greek apartments and island villas. Work through each step in sequence before reaching for the phone to call a plumber.
Why Bathtub Drains Block Up
Hair is the primary culprit in virtually every bathtub blockage. Strands accumulate around the stopper mechanism or the crossbars of the drain strainer, and soap scum binds them into a dense plug that water can no longer push through. In holiday rentals with high guest turnover, this process accelerates because many people use the same tub in a short period.
Hard water — common throughout much of Greece — adds a second layer of buildup. Calcium and magnesium deposits coat the pipe walls and trap debris more readily than in soft-water regions, so drains in Greek properties may slow faster than in northern-European homes where guests are used to slower maintenance cycles.
When to DIY and When to Call a Professional
The methods in this guide work for the vast majority of bathtub clogs, which sit within the first 30–50 cm of pipe below the drain opening. If the tub backs up even after you have cleared all visible hair and run hot water, the blockage is deeper in the waste stack and a professional snake or hydro-jet will be needed.
Owners of older properties with cast-iron or corroded PVC pipes should be cautious with chemical drain openers, which can accelerate pipe corrosion. In those cases the mechanical steps below are always the safer starting point.
5 Steps to Unclog Your Bathtub Drain
- 1
Remove and clean the stopper
Lift out the stopper — most modern Greek bath fittings use a simple push-pull or toe-touch stopper that unscrews counter-clockwise. Wear rubber gloves and pull away all hair and soap residue wrapped around the stopper shaft. Rinse it under the tap before setting it aside.
- 2
Hook out the hair blockage
Insert a plastic drain snake or a bent wire coat-hanger into the drain opening. Twist slowly and pull upward rather than pushing down, which risks compacting the clog further. Repeat several times, wiping debris onto paper after each pass, until nothing more comes up.
- 3
Flush with boiling or very hot water
Boil a full kettle and pour it slowly and directly into the drain in two or three stages, waiting 15 seconds between pours. Hot water melts the soap-fat matrix that holds the remaining debris together. Do not use boiling water on toilets or cracked porcelain, but it is safe for standard bath drain pipes.
- 4
Apply baking soda and vinegar if water still drains slowly
Pour 120 g of baking soda down the drain, followed immediately by 240 ml of white vinegar. Place a cloth or drain cover over the opening to direct the fizzing action downward rather than upward. Leave it for 15–20 minutes, then flush again with hot water. This step breaks up residual soap scum without harsh chemicals.
- 5
Use a cup plunger as a last manual resort
Fill the tub with enough water to cover the rubber cup of a standard plunger (about 5 cm). Seal the overflow plate with a wet cloth held firmly in place — this is essential because without the seal, plunging pushes air out of the overflow rather than through the clog. Give 10 sharp, controlled plunges, then lift the plunger quickly to release suction and check whether water drains freely.
Rather have a pro handle it?
Get a vetted plumbing pro in your city — one number, booked in EN/EL/DE.
FAQ
- How do I keep the drain from clogging again?
- Fit a fine-mesh hair catcher over the drain opening — they cost under €3 and catch the vast majority of hair before it enters the pipe. Clean it after every shower or bath. In rental properties, leave a spare in the bathroom cabinet with a note for guests.
- Is it safe to use commercial chemical drain cleaners in a Greek apartment?
- Caustic drain gels (containing sodium hydroxide) work but should be used sparingly and never in pipes older than 20 years. Always ventilate the bathroom fully, avoid mixing with vinegar or bleach, and flush with cold water for at least two minutes after the recommended contact time. The mechanical steps in this guide are safer for both pipes and people.
- The overflow plate is difficult to reach — can I skip sealing it when plunging?
- No. The overflow opening connects directly to the drain pipe just below the tub, so any air pressure from plunging escapes through it rather than dislodging the clog. Use a wet folded towel held firmly by a second person if the plate is awkward to reach, or temporarily tape a small plastic bag over it.