How to Unblock a Shower Drain

Have you ever stepped into the shower and noticed the water isn’t draining properly?

It’s either draining slowly or not at all.

If the answer is yes, then your shower drain is most likely clogged.

Therefore, it’s best to resolve the issue as soon as possible, otherwise the clog will get worse and harder to remove.

Why Do Shower Drains Clog?

A clogged shower drain can be caused by a number of different things, some of which you can fix yourself.

Others will require a professional, because the key is that an early detection can prevent many serious problems.

Some of the most common causes of a clogged shower drain include:

• Hair: Long hair can easily get tangled and collect, resulting in a blocked drain.
• Skin Cells: Dead skin cells regularly shed off your body and can accumulate and cause a blockage.
• Soap Scum: It’s true, soap can actually combine with hair and skin to clog the drain.
• Hard Water: The minerals in hard water can actually coat the pipe and cause clogs.
• Objects: Tiny objects like razor caps can be enough to block the drain, so they should be avoided.

Signs of a Blocked Shower Drain

There’s a few ways to tell whether or not your shower drain is clogged:

• Water pooling around your feet while you take a shower.
• Water drains a lot slower than it used to.
• Smell a foul odour coming from the drain because it may be filled with hair and other debris.
• Water overflows and causes a flood in the bathroom, thus it may also seep into the bathroom through the joints of the shower.

How to Unblock a Shower Drain

There are several ways to clear a blocked shower drain.

The effectiveness of the fix will depend on the severity of the blockage.

Minor blockages are often cleared by the homeowner, so they can be fixed without professional help.

Severe blockages are best left to the plumber or drain specialist, because they have the necessary tools and expertise to handle them.

Using a Plunger

The first step in clearing a blocked shower drain is to try a plunger.

Petroleum jelly can be used to create a tighter seal on the edge of the suction pad.

The effectiveness of a plunger will depend on the type of drain, where the clog is located, and how far down the pipe the blockage is.

Therefore it is essential to consider these factors when using a plunger.

If the blockage is further down the pipe, it may be difficult to create enough suction to remove the blockage, thus requiring alternative methods.

Boiling Water

Boiling water can also dissolve soap or grease clogs.

Be careful not to splash the water back on yourself or overflow the bowl.

This method rarely works, but it’s worth a try.

Note that boiling water can also melt plastic and metal pipes, so avoid using this method unless absolutely necessary.

Baking Soda & Vinegar

Baking soda and vinegar are effective when it comes to cleaning.

Together they can dissolve hair, soap, and skin that can build up in the pipework.

First, pour one cup of baking soda down the drain, and try to push it as far down as you can.

Then, pour one cup of vinegar down the drain.

The baking soda and vinegar should start to react together and fizz.

Let it sit for 2 hours, and then turn on the shower and see if the water drains.

Lastly, flush boiling (not hot) water down the drain, because this will help to completely clear the drain.

Clear the Clog by Hand

You could try to unclog it with your hands.

It’s most certainly not a fun job, but it often works.

Put on some rubber gloves and remove the drain cover.

Shine a flashlight into the drain to see if there’s a clog that you can physically reach.

Grab the clog and pull it out.

If the clog is too far down however, you can make a hook using a wire coat hanger.

Bend it, and hook it, then put it in the drain so you can fish out the clog.

This method usually works for hair clogs, but may not work for mineral clogs, because they are more difficult to remove.

Plumber’s Snake

You can use a drain snake, which is a tool that you insert into the drain.

It’s also known as a plumber’s snake or a toilet jack, and it goes down inside the drain.

You push it until you feel a block, and then you twist the handle of the snake, which breaks up the clog.

You can snag the clog, and then you pull the snake back up.

Once out, put water down the drain.

Check to ensure the water now drains quickly.

If it’s still slow, there may be more blockage down the pipe, so you need to snake it once again.

Wire Coat Hanger

Use a wire coat hanger to clear the drain and remove the drain cover.

You can now see the plughole, and thus untwist the coat hanger.

Make a little hook at one end – this will help you to insert the hook into the drain.

Insert the hook into the drain and pull out the blockage, therefore twist the hanger.

Remove the clog, which has a tendency to collect hair and other loose items.

Do not push the clog further down the pipe, so be careful.

Drain Unblocker

You can also use chemical drain cleaners to help clear your shower drain.

Common products like drain unblockers can be purchased at most supermarkets and hardware stores.

They can help to dissolve stubborn clogs, so only use them when necessary.

It can be hazardous to use them too frequently, as they can cause damage to your pipes over time, therefore wear protective gloves and eyewear when using chemical unblockers.

Read the instructions on the label carefully, because using them incorrectly can be dangerous.

Ventilate your bathroom when using these products, thus ensuring a safer environment.

Call a Professional

If it is a small blockage, you may achieved have success with the above methods.

If it is a larger blockage or one that is stubborn, you will need to call in a professional drainage company.

If you have tried everything and you still have no success, then a professional drainage company will have the knowledge, tools and expertise to ensure the job is done properly.

Therefore don’t be afraid to call for help when you need it.

Key Takeaways

No one enjoys a clogged shower drain and it’s not pleasant to step into standing water or a foul odour when you shower.

You can prevent clogs by using drain screens because they trap hair and soap scum before it enters the drain.

Be sure to clean your screens regularly, thus preventing further issues.

Clogs can still happen, therefore you can attempt the above tips to correct smaller clogs.

Severe clogs require contacting a professional drainage contractor, so they will have the correct tools to repair things quickly.