One of the most common bathroom problems is a clogged shower drain. Even if you set the water pressure to high or randomly meddle with the drain, it just seems to make the problem worse.
Usually, bundled hair, dirt, or debris is the cause of this plumbing issue. Luckily it’s easy to fix by using natural ingredients and available tools at your house.
In this guide, we will delve into how to unclog a shower drain which can save you time, effort, and money. And if you’re up for it, let’s start!
1) Use a wire hanger
A simple DIY fix for a blocked drain is to use a metal wire hanger—those that are exposed and don’t have a wooden enclosure as pictured above.
For this, untwist the wire and create a long straight line and bend its tip to form a long hook. Open or unscrew your shower drain, lower the hook carefully until you reach a solid object, secure it with the hook, pull it up, and then you’ll unveil the object that’s been blocking your drain.
Also, note that, in place of a wire hanger, you can use your fingers to pick up the stuck object. But, the task would likely be gooey and nasty so make sure to wear rubber gloves beforehand.
2) Use baking soda and vinegar
When combined, baking soda and vinegar create a strong fizzy reaction that’s capable of clearing, and also, freshening drains of hair, shampoo, dirt residues, among others.
To do this, pour a cup of baking soda into the clogged drain, followed by a cup of vinegar. Wait for a few minutes to allow them to foam together, and then add warm water (not boiling water), and let it sit for about two hours.
Now, test the drain by opening the shower and see if the water flows freely down the drain. Otherwise, repeat the process stated above.
3) Get a plunger
For deeper blockage of the shower drain, you should resort to a plunger. The tool works by putting pressure on the pipe, by being pushed and pulled by a person, causing the water to lower or rise, and thus, freeing up the clog beneath the drain.
So, by using a plunger, it can either push down or pull the object or closer to the top of the drain. Either way, there would be no more obstruction on your shower drain line.
However, don’t do it forcefully as it may damage the pipe and cause leaks and/or water damage. And so, for serious clogging of the drain, we would advise relying on a licensed plumber instead.
4) Buy a plumbing snake
A plumbing snake is a special tool you can buy or rent from your local hardware or plumbing store.
It is extremely reliable to clear drains of tough clogs on showers and toilets. The slender and flexible tool works by going down the drain to hook up the item with its springy auger head, which is then retrieved by the user by rotating the tool’s handle.
5) Vacuum the object
You would need a reliable wet/dry vacuum to suction the dry debris and hair out of the drain. This is one of the best DIY methods for unclogging a shower drain.
Set it to liquid vacuuming and turn on the liquid filter. Open the drain and place it in the hose first before turning it on, and then in a matter of seconds, the job will be done and your drain should be completely unblocked for water to flow through it.
And that’s how you can unstop a shower drain. They are effective and proven methods and won’t require you to call a professional to add to your expenses.
In the first place, you can prevent your shower drain from being blocked. This you can do by pouring warm or lukewarm water every time after you take a bath.
But, keep in mind to not use boiling water in your drain as this can pool over the clog and damage the surrounding plastic pipe and seal as a result.
