Have you ever noticed a pool of water collecting at your feet when you’re taking a shower? No one likes that feeling. If so, it may be time to clean out your clogged shower drain.
Shower drains can become clogged for a variety of reasons. The most common reason shower drains get clogged is that hair gradually becomes caught in the drain. However, there are other reasons that a drain may become clogged, such as minerals from hard water and soap scum.
But how do you unclog a shower drain? Here are some easy tips to help you try it on your own before calling a professional.
- Try to remove any hair that is clogging the drain with your hands. You will need to remove the drain cover to get anything. It is easiest to remove hair from a dry drain, so wait a while after you’ve taken a shower before you try to remove any hair.
- If you are unable to remove the clog with your hands, you can use a wire hanger, a plunger, or a drain snake to assist you in removing the hair from the drain. A drain snake is a drilling tool found at most hardware stores that is flexible and retractable. You can lower a metal wire down into your drain to break up the clog and pull it out.
- Will boiling water unclog a shower drain? You can try pouring a pot of boiling water down the shower drain. Once the visible clogs and hair have been removed by the drain, the remaining clog may be soap scum. The boiling water will assist in breaking down the soap scum or minerals from hard water. This process may need to be repeated more than one time.
- If the hot water does not seem to do the trick, try pouring a solution of baking soda and vinegar down the drain. First, pour 3/4 cup of baking soda down the drain, and let it sit for a minute. This will allow the baking soda to settle further down in the drain. Then, pour 1/2 cup of distilled white vinegar down the drain and follow it with 1/2 cup of boiling hot water. The chemical reaction between the baking soda and vinegar can help break down the buildup in the shower drain.
- If none of the above methods seem to be working, or if, after trying all four, there is still a clog further down in the drain, it may be time to call in a professional. Plumbers have tools and tricks that you may not have at home, and they can clear out your drains in a short amount of time.
Tips for Preventing Shower Clogs
Preventing shower clogs is a simple yet effective way to maintain smooth drainage and avert plumbing headaches.
Invest in a Quality Drain Cover
Use a reliable drain cover to catch hair and soap scum before they enter the drain.
Regularly Clean the Drain Cover
Establish a routine for cleaning the drain cover to prevent the buildup of hair and debris.
Use a Hair Catcher or Drain Strainer
Consider using a hair catcher or drain strainer to trap hair and debris during each shower.
Avoid Excessive Product Usage
Limit the amount of shampoo, conditioner, and shower gels going down the drain to prevent buildup.
Monthly Hot Water Maintenance
Pour hot water down the drain monthly to dissolve accumulated soap and grease.
Baking Soda and Vinegar Treatment
For persistent clogs, use a mixture of baking soda and vinegar, followed by hot water.
Adopting these tips ensures a free-flowing shower drain, minimizing the risk of blockages and sustaining a smoothly functioning plumbing system.
Contact Our Expert Plumbers to Unclog Your Drain
Hopefully these tips help you unclog a shower drain. If not, FORD’S Plumbing and Heating offers drain cleaning services in the Los Angeles area. A fleet of well-stocked trucks and licensed technicians clear out drains all over the Los Angeles area using the latest technology.
For big emergencies, we offer 24/7 services. We can be there to take care of your plumbing issues any time of the day or night – and within sixty minutes of your call – because no one knows when an emergency is going to happen.
Call us today or contact us for a quote on your clogged drain.
