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The best way to unclog a bathtub drain is to pour a pot of boiled water down the drain, being careful not to splash yourself. However, take precautions, as boiling water can damage PVC pipes and joints. Follow up with ½ cup of baking soda and ½ cup of vinegar. Cover the drain with a small sink plunger and let it sit for 15 minutes. Pour boiling water down the drain again and replace the drain stopper.

On average, a plumber will take 30 minutes to two hours to clear a clogged drain. If the clog is located close to the drain or an access point and isn’t severe, the project will take about half an hour. If the clog is deep within your plumbing system or is a severe blockage, it can take two or more hours to remove the clog. For this reason, main line clogs tend to take longer, usually between two and three hours.

Plumbers use a variety of tools to help unclog the toughest of drain clogs, but the most common tools they use are drain snakes and augers. They try a plunger or drain snake to start, then move to heavy-duty augers, and finally try using a hydro jetter to blast away the clog with high-pressure water. Hiring a plumber to unclog a drain costs $125 to $300, largely depending on the extent and location of the clog and which of these methods is best for clearing it.

While some chemical drain cleaners with hydrochloric acid can dissolve hair, this method is not recommended as it can also destroy your plumbing pipes. A common DIY alternative is using baking soda and vinegar, which can help break down the clog but will not actually dissolve the hair. The best and safest method for clearing a hair clog is to remove it manually. You can use a drain snake, a straightened wire hanger with pliers to fish out the clog, or have a plumber use a professional auger for more severe blockages.