Slow draining shower drains leave puddles of water and soap around your feet. The culprit is typically hair and soap scum, accumulating with each wash. Though the prospect of cleaning the drain is less than appealing, the process does not have to be complicated. Rest assured, cleaning the drain is relatively easy and can be done with products found around the house. Make sure to wear rubber gloves and remove the drain cover before starting. Homeowners can try one of these suggestions for a DIY fix before appealing to professionals.
Ways to Unclog Your Drain
Boiling Water
After boiling water, pour the water down your drain to dissolve soap scum buildup. This should be done after removing bigger obstruction pieces, such as hair. Repeat the process two or three times to ensure the buildup has deteriorated.
Baking Soda and Vinegar
For a stronger natural cleaning solution, mix ⅓ cup baking soda and ⅓ cup vinegar. Take the solution and pour the contents down the drain. If you see or hear fizzing, this means the solution is working. Let the product sit for about an hour before running hot water down the drain to get rid of any remaining solution.
Drain Snake / Coat Hanger
A manual or electric drain snake is the best option to remove hair. Place the snake down the drain and turn the handle clockwise. If you feel resistance, you know the device is picking up debris. When there is no resistance, the device has picked up all the hair and effectively cleaned the clog. Slowly remove the drain snake by turning the handle counterclockwise. Then, run hot water down the drain to make sure the drain has cleared.
Similarly, a coat hanger can be used in the same fashion. Straighten a wire hanger, leaving a small hook on the end. Feed the wire down the drain to snag clogged hair. Pull the hanger and hair out, then rinse the drain with warm water.
Plunger
Place the plunger over the drain opening so the area is sealed. Turn on the shower, shutting it off when the water has covered the lip of the plunger cup. From there, rapidly move the plunger up and down to unclog the drain. Run water through the drain to check if the clog has passed.
Unclogging Chemicals
Though removing the hair by hand is the most popular option, you can also dissolve the remains with a chemical drain cleaner. Take caution by wearing protective gear, opening windows, and turning on the bathroom fan. This process may sound easier, but it should be noted that these strong chemicals could cause damage to your drain.
If these solutions fail, contact your plumber for a speedy fix. Make sure to tell your plumber what chemicals have already been used so they can take precautions and work safely.
Prevent Drain Clogging
Drain clogging can be lessened with proper preventative maintenance:
Put a drain screen over the shower drain and empty the screen regularly.
Pour boiling water down the metal pipes once a week to dislodge soap scum.
Pour the baking soda and vinegar solution down the drains once a month to dissolve tougher buildup.
Brush your hair before taking a shower to lessen the fallout.
Contact Us Today
Homeowners always have something to do; there is rarely a moment of rest to upkeep your home’s appearance and operating systems. But Donofrio Mechanicals wants to make your life easier and take care to ensure that your HVAC system is working correctly.
We would be honored if we could cross that off your to-do list. Donofrio Mechanicals prides itself on providing exemplary customer services. Visit our website or call us at 855-296-8719 to learn more today! Like us on Facebook to stay updated on the latest events, tips, and specials.
Sources
https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-unclog-a-shower-drain/
https://bungalow.com/articles/five-easy-ways-to-unclog-your-shower-drain
https://www.homedepot.com/c/ah/how-to-unclog-a-shower-drain/9ba683603be9fa5395fab9011ecddf8
