Top 5 Tips To Unclog Your Shower Drains

Shower drains are an essential component of any bathroom and are designed to quickly and efficiently carry away water and debris. However, over time, hair, soap, and other debris can accumulate in the drain, leading to clogs and blockages that can cause water to build up and eventually overflow.

This not only creates a messy and unsanitary situation, but it can also be damaging to your bathroom and home. Fortunately, unclogging a shower drain is a task that most homeowners can easily tackle themselves. In this blog, we’ll provide five tips to help you unclog your shower drain and keep it flowing freely.

1. Boiling water

Boiling water is a simple and effective way to unclog a shower drain. Fill a pot with water and bring it to a rolling boil on the stove. Once the water is hot, carefully pour it down the drain. The heat of the boiling water will help to break up any hair, soap scum, or other debris that may be clogging the drain.

Boiling water is safe to use on most types of pipes and will not cause any damage, making it an ideal solution for homeowners who want to avoid using harsh chemicals. The force of the hot water will also help to flush away the clog and keep the water flowing freely. If the clog is particularly stubborn, you may need to repeat this process a few times to fully unclog the drain.

2. Baking soda and vinegar

Baking soda and vinegar are natural cleaning agents that can be used to unclog a shower drain. Begin by pouring 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by 1/2 cup of vinegar. The baking soda and vinegar will react to create a foamy substance that will help to break up any clogs. Allow the mixture to sit for about 10-15 minutes, giving it time to penetrate the clog and dissolve any hair or soap scum.

After the waiting period, flush the drain with boiling water to help remove the clog and any remnants of the baking soda and vinegar mixture. This simple and effective method is safe for use on most types of pipes and is a great alternative for homeowners who want to avoid using harsh chemicals.

3. Plunger

A plunger is a simple tool that can be used to unclog a shower drain. Begin by filling the shower with enough water to cover the base of the plunger. Place the plunger over the drain and start pumping it up and down.

The suction created by the plunger will help to break up any clogs in the drain and create enough pressure to flush away the clog. Repeat this process several times, if necessary, to fully unclog the drain. Plungers are a versatile and inexpensive tools that can be used to unclog a variety of drains, making them a must-have for any homeowner.

4. Snake

A snake is a flexible rod with a spiral end that can be used to remove clogs from a drain. To use a snake, insert the end into the drain and turn the handle to guide it through the pipes. The snake will help to break up any clogs that may be causing the blockage, making it easier to remove the clog and restore the flow of water.

Continue turning the handle until you feel resistance, then gently pull the snake back out of the drain. Snakes can be purchased at most hardware stores and are an effective solution for homeowners who have stubborn clogs that cannot be removed with other methods.

5. Professional Plumbing Services

If all of the above methods fail to unclog your shower drain, it may be time to call in the professionals. A plumber will have the tools and expertise needed to diagnose and repair the problem quickly and efficiently.

They can use specialized equipment such as hydro-jetting or a sewer camera to remove the clog and restore the flow of water in your shower drain. Hiring a professional plumber may cost more than attempting to unclog the drain yourself, but it can save you time and ensure that the problem is fixed correctly the first time.

Looking for help?

You can count on Asquith Plumbing to provide friendly, professional, and prompt service whenever you need it because a plumbing emergency can arise at any time. They offer 24/7 emergency plumbing service and will never let you figure it out on your own. The team of experts there understands that problems don’t always occur when you want them to and often occur when you least expect them.

While many factors contribute to a faulty water heater system, and you can fix some of these issues yourself, it is always better to call professional plumbers. They will make sure to handle repairs and provide personalized plumbing solutions to keep your hot water systems in good working conditions.