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Slow Tub or Shower Drain: Clear It Without Chemicals

Updated 2026-10-20 · Sources verified 2026-07-20

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Short answer: no permit needed. FBC 105.2 exempts stopping leaks and clearing stoppages provided no valves, pipes, or fixtures are replaced or rearranged; concealed pipe REPLACEMENT is new work requiring a permit. The full rule and its official source are below, with the code requirements and mistakes that trip up Orlando homeowners.

The permit answer

No permit needed. FBC 105.2 exempts stopping leaks and clearing stoppages provided no valves, pipes, or fixtures are replaced or rearranged; concealed pipe REPLACEMENT is new work requiring a permit.
Source: https://up.codes/viewer/florida/fl-building-code-2023/chapter/1/scope-and-administration

Orange County and the City of Orlando run separate permit offices with separate portals — and your mailing address alone doesn't tell you which one covers your home. Check which permit office covers your address →

Key facts before you start

Start at the stopper, not the chemicals. Delta: a lift & turn tub stopper 'unscrews counterclockwise while in the "full up" position'. With a toe tap, 'the cap may come off the plunger before the whole stopper does. In that case, a nut will be exposed that can be used to unscrew the plunger assembly from the drain.'
If it spins and won't come out: Delta — 'the threads are stripped, and you will need to exert upward pressure while unscrewing. If that fails, you will have to unscrew the bath waste flange from the drain pipe. This will require access under the tub' — that is the point to stop and call a plumber rather than force it.
Shower with a grate: Delta says to take the cover off with a screwdriver and clean it thoroughly; 'it tends to get full of hair and soap scum as well, and could be contributing to your drainage problem.'
Fish, don't push: bend a hanger into a hook, 'stick the hook end into the shower drain hole as far as it will go, rotating the hanger as you push it down. Then jiggle the hanger to lift, or fish out, any hair and gunk. Just be careful not to push any debris back down the shower drain, which will likely cause a bigger clog. Repeat until the hanger comes out clean.' (Delta)
Pop-up sink drains clog the same way: Delta's support shows the push-type stopper lifts straight out for cleaning, and Kohler's guide covers re-adjusting a pop-up that no longer seals after you reinstall it. If you use a drain treatment on an acrylic tub, follow the product label (Kohler/Sterling care guide).
Still slow with the stopper and trap clean? A clog deeper than you can reach, or more than one fixture draining slowly at once, points at the branch line or main (see the sink drain / P-trap and cast iron drain guides). Clearing a stoppage needs no permit; replacing pipe does.

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Frequently asked questions

Do I need a permit for a slow tub / shower drain repair in Orange County, FL?

No permit needed. FBC 105.2 exempts stopping leaks and clearing stoppages provided no valves, pipes, or fixtures are replaced or rearranged; concealed pipe REPLACEMENT is new work requiring a permit.

What tools or parts do I need to get right for a slow tub / shower drain repair?

Shower with a grate: Delta says to take the cover off with a screwdriver and clean it thoroughly; 'it tends to get full of hair and soap scum as well, and could be contributing to your drainage problem.'

Related repairs

Sources

https://www.deltafaucet.com/node/266
https://www.deltafaucet.com/il/home-improvement-101/clog-be-gone
https://support.deltafaucet.com/s/article/Removing-a-Push-Pop-Up-Drain-sink-stopper
https://assist.kohler.com/en/sinks/Adjusting-Pop-Up-Drains
https://sterling.kohler.com/en/support/care-and-cleaning/how-to-clean-and-care-acrylic-baths

This guide is general informational content, not professional or legal advice. Codes and county rules change — confirm permit requirements with your local building department, and use a licensed professional for electrical, gas, structural, or main-line plumbing work.

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