Did you know that someone on average uses between 80 and 100 gallons of water per day? All day long, we rely on water for everything from the toilet to the shower. For this reason, a problem like a clogged drain can ruin your entire day. A clogged shower drain is particularly problematic. This is due to the possibility of hair and other debris being stuck deep within the pipe.
How do you handle it, then? In this article, we will explore the ways to fix a clogged shower drain.
Five Ways to Unclog Your Shower Drain
Try these methods to remove or dissolve the clog.
- Remove the clog by hand
Sometimes a clog is simply visible and apparent just at the surface. Put on some rubber gloves and try your best to remove the blockage. Tiny plastic hooks are available specifically for this use.
- Use a drain snake
Hardware stores sell a retractable, flexible drilling instrument called a drain snake, sometimes referred to as a plumber’s snake. A metal wire will be sent down your drain using the snake’s hand crank to either break up or remove the blockage. There are also disposable plastic versions of the snake that don’t need to be cranked and may even be used on a clogged toilet. After using your drain snake, be sure to clean it.
- Use a pot of boiling water
Contact with hot water can help dissolve softer build-up, such as soap scum, at the edges of the drain if no obvious challenges are blocking it and a drain snake has not worked. Do these two or three times over.
- Use Baking Soda and Vinegar Solution
Baking soda or vinegar is a fantastic option if you want something stronger than boiling water without being as dangerous as chemicals. Do you recall the volcano science project you did in elementary school? That’s quite similar to this. Fill the shower drain with one cup of baking soda. Give the baking soda a few minutes to soak in the drain. It will have more time to coat everything this way. A cup of white vinegar should then be poured down the drain.
This should ideally dissolve any dirt or hair in the drain. It will take a few hours, though. After a sufficient amount of time passed, rinse with boiling water.
- Remove the Debris with a Hook
The next step is to attempt physically clearing the blockage. You can occasionally be able to perform this using your hands, but only for small items and hair close to the service. A longer, more reachable tool will be needed for anything else.
Purchasing a wire coat hanger is what we advise. After that, untangle it and form it into a hook. After removing as much of the blockage as possible, rinse with boiling water. Remember that this approach probably won’t be effective when dealing with a blockage caused by mineral formation.
When to Call a Professional
You will need to call a qualified plumber if none of these fixes clear your clogged shower. sadly, this indicates that the blocked section of the drain is too large or deep for you to access.
In some cases, it may even uncover a whole network of leaking pipes that require replacement. In this situation, you should see a plumber for expert guidance before moving on.
Need help with your clogged shower drain?
We hope that this post helped resolve a clogged shower drain. As previously stated, several clogged drains are just too challenging to resolve on your own without expert assistance. So how do you find a plumber that you can trust?
For all of your shower and bathroom renovation needs in Corona, California, put your trust in the well reputed companies. We have proudly served the California community for years, offering excellent service and customized solutions to turn bathrooms into elegant yet useful areas.
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