Ways to Unclog Your Shower Drain
Is your shower starting to sound more and more like a puddle each time you go in to wash up? Has standing water started to leave stains and moisture in your shower? If so, you’re not alone. A slow drain in your tub or shower is one of the most common problems a homeowner will have to learn how to tackle. We’ll teach you to unclog drains in no time.
Signs of a Clogged Drain
A clog is anything that slows down your drain. Clogs are obstructions that interfere with the normal operation of your drain. Clogs often come about as grease and food accumulate in the pipe for kitchen sinks. For showers, it’s usually hair and soap scum that clogs up the fixture. This also affects bathroom sinks, but those are also hit by toothpaste.
The most obvious sign of a clog is standing water, which drains at a very slow pace. Sometimes the signs can be a bit more subtle – If you fill your basin or tub, you probably expect it to drain for a while. However, if it starts to bubble or chug, there might be a clog deeper within. This clog is moving and momentarily relenting under the weight of the water. Bubbling always means there is air in the line somewhere, usually behind a clog.
You may also see leaking around pipes, or detect a foul odor coming from the drain. In some badly clogged drains, you might have drain flies moving in and out and trying to build nests.
How to Unclog a Shower
The first thing you’ll want to do is see if there is anything visible blocking the drain. Sometimes it’s as simple as a piece of plastic or cloth covering the drain. Other times it may be strands of hair. You might have to remove your drain cap to get a better look, mind you. Pull out anything you see – There shouldn’t be anything in your drain at all.
Next, check if the drain is open. There may be a stopper switch for filling up the tub or a similar device in the bathroom. If it’s open and looks clear, you likely have a clog.
Ways to Remove a Shower Clog
1) Reach in and grab it. If you have a good pair of rubber gloves and see the clog, removing it by hand is often enough to clear the blockage. You can also use little plastic tools for this – But avoid wire hangers. These can damage your pipes.
2) Snake it out. A plumber’s snake doesn’t have to be just for plumbers. These are available at many hardware stores and are easy to use. Crank the snake down into the drain, and pull it out. It’ll twist through and loosen whatever’s there.
3) Try Boiling Water. Frequently, hair and grease can be loosened and sent on their way with boiling water. This is water that is hot enough to break down the things that make up hair and scum and may do the trick in a pinch.
The Best Fix
If you’ve tried all of the above and it still doesn’t come clean, you’ll want to call a professional. Conyers Plumbing has been servicing the Tampa area for over 30 years. We’ve unclogged plenty of showers in that time, and we’ll unclog yours, too. So call us for a free quote and tell us what’s going on.
