A clogged shower drain can leave you standing ankle-deep in dirty water, but chemical drain cleaners can cause serious damage to your plumbing system if used too often. Before you choose to go the industrial route, we’ve put together a list of alternative ways to clear your shower drain.
- Clear out the Hair: The vast majority of clogged drains in the shower are caused by a buildup of hair. The first thing to do is to remove the drain screen – if your shower has one – with a screwdriver, or by raising the lever and pulling out the stopper if it’s a pop-up drain. Grab a flashlight so you can get a good look, and pull out the hair you can reach with your fingers. If you can’t reach it all, get a bent metal wire that you can stick down the drain to drag as much hair out of the drain as you can.
- Vinnegar and Baking Soda: Once you’ve pulled out as much hair as you can, pour a half cup of baking soda down the drain, and then pour in a half cup of white vinegar before covering the drain with a wet washcloth. Leave it be for ten minutes or so before removing the washcloth and rinsing it out with hot water.
- Pour Boiling Water Down the Drain: Sometimes, all the drain needs is a good, hot cleanse. Boil a kettle of water on your stove, or a pot of water if you aren’t an avid tea drinker. Once it’s scalding hot, pour the water down the shower drain; this should break up any remaining grease or soap scum buildups.
- Grab a Plunger: The final step you can take is to plunge the drain. First, fill the shower with an inch or so of water before pressing your plunger down around the drain. Give a few solid plunges before letting the water drain out to test whether or not you fully cleared your drain. Repeat this process a few times before running your shower to see if you’ve taken care of the issue.
If all four of these fixes fail to clear the clog, you may have a larger issue that may require a professional plumber. Our plumbers at bluefrog Plumbing + Drain are available 24/7, and refuse to settle for anything less than the best for our clients. Contact us today to set up a free in-home evaluation by calling us at 888-794-0341, or use our website to find your nearest bluefrog Plumbing + Drain location.
Related Posts:
