My drain is slow. i cannot figure out how to remove it to pull out the hair clogging it. what do i do to fix this?

does your bathtub drain slow, and toilet not flush? dont call a plumber just yet, Every fixture in your home should have a air vent associated with it. the vents allow gases to escape and are necessary in allowing the waist water to flowout and down the pipes. most vents lead up through the roof, these are usualy 2" in diameter and raise up about 20" from the roof. there are other ventsin and around the home like the drain pipe for your washer or the overflow drains in sinks and tubs. If you have a tub that drains slow its usually hair buildup in the trap and is simple to clear. If you have a problem like the one i had and you've tried everything and it still wont drain the vent may be clogged. In my case the toilet wouldnt flush allong with the tub draining very slow, I threw every thing i could at the problem including removing the toilet and running a power snake. You can imagine how i felt when i put the toiket back in place and when i flushed it nothing happened:( after some thought i went to the tub and removed the chrome cap 0ver the overflow and ran a wire with the end bent like a hook as i pulled the wire out the toilet flushed, on the end of the wire was a clump of hair . problem solved!

This tip will show you how to fix a slow tub drain. In my experience most slow shower and tub drains are caused by hair. Usually within reach of a wire hanger. Since you probably do not have all the proper tools, you must be careful not to damage your drain line.

The trickiest part with most shower drains, is the pop up assembly.Most times the hair is caught on the pop-up components. If you have a pop-up, check with your local hardware guy to show you how it works and is assembled. On a pop-up, you'll have to take the drain plug/cap off. have the cap in up position, and get your eyes below the cap rim, you will see a small set screw, a couple turns and cap should come off, do not take set screw all the way out. If you see hair on assembly after taking assembly out, remove the hair and run some water to see how your drain is working. If that does not fix your slow drain, you should stop there and call a plumber, because that means you blockage is further down the line then you'll be able to reach.

If you have no pop-up assembly. Untwist hanger, make as straight as possible, then with a pair of needle nose or any pliers you have, go about a half inch in from the hook side. Make a U bend, about the same size and shape of the end of a paper clip. Go in drain a inch and turn hanger in a circle trying to catch the hair blockage. Twist a couple times and pull back gently, do not push hanger in to far, you might break your pipe or the hanger may get caught in the p-trap or even worse drum-trap,(older houses tend to have drum-traps, I suggest not to even attempt to clear any blockage were a drum-trap is involved,call a plumber)

If its hair, you will see this black sludge looking hair ball that may make you sick. Don't worry you'll be happy when all is said and done, and you can shower without standing in your own filth. If its not hair, you probably have a more serious problem. Call a plumber and make sure your plumber gives free estimates.


Other Tips:
http://www.fixya.com/support/r5197305-stop_water_sweat_solder_water_line

http://www.fixya.com/support/r5238897-reset_toilet

http://www.fixya.com/support/r5245506-leaking_shut_off_valve_hard_close_shut