5 ways to unclog a bathtub drain, loved by professional plumbers for the rapid results

A bathtub with a pink frilly shower curtains wrapped around it, grey painted walls, a standing sink, and a blue and yellow tiled checker floor.

There are few tasks less appealing than unclogging a bathtub drain, but plumbers take time and money, and if you're short on either, pulling on your rubber gloves and tackling it yourself might be the best fix.

We find that hair is the worst drain-clogging offender, followed by soap build-up and residue from shampoos and soaps. However, if your drain has been slow since installation, the gradient of the pipework beneath or a more serious sewerage issue might be at play, which is when you’ll need to call in a professional.