You’re probably worried how to unclog shower drain because a clogged one is a huge nuisance. If it is not fixed in time, the clog can buildup and eventually block your shower drain pipe. This will result in buildup of water. A clog can also damage your drain and plumbing pipes. If you have a clogged shower drain, you can fix it by following the following 5 easy remedies. Read about them below:
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Use Your Hands To Unclog Shower Drain
- The first step in unclogging a shower drain is to visually inspect it. The most common reason for a shower drain clog is hair. Sometimes, you can easily see the clog near the drain’s surface. Wear rubber or latex gloves and try to pry out the obstruction using your fingers.
If you are unable to do it with your hands, you can purchase small plastic hooks to help you extract the hair. Some people recommend using wire coat hangers for this purpose. However, they may permanently damage your drain. A damaged drain will leak water. It will then require plumbing line services which may be costly.
Use A Drain Snake
- A drain snake, also known as a plumber’s snake, is widely available at all leading hardware stores in America. It is a retractable and flexible cable with a handle on one end. By holding the handle, you can insert the cable into your drain. The cable will make contact with whatever is clogging your drain and attempt to break it. Give it a few tries and your drain will be unclogged.
Some versions of the drain snake have a drilling feature. The cable works as a small drill to safely and efficiently unclog your drain. There are also disposable versions of the drain snake that can be discarded after a single use.
Use Boiling Water
- If by now you still have a clogged drain, your next course of action is to use a pan of boiling water. Boiling water will help eliminate scum and soap buildup in the drain pipe.
It will also help to provide some lubrication to any object that is clogging your drain. Experts recommend repeating this step at least 3 times for best results.
Use A Homemade Drain Cleaner
- Many drain cleaners don’t work as well as they are advertised. They also contain harmful and corrosive chemicals which can ruin your pipe. The fumes that these cleaners release are also harmful for your health. The best alternative is to use a homemade drain cleaner.
Add a little bit of baking soda into the clogged drain and then pour vinegar over it. It causes a chemical reaction resulting in bubbling and fizzing. Leave it in your drain for about 30 mins and then pour boiling water in the drain. Majority of shower drain clogs are fixed using this remedy.
Use A Plunger
- A plunger works as an immense suction force created by vacuum. It should be your last resort option as it has the potential to further deteriorate your problem. Experts recommend using a plunger while water is kept running in the drain. This helps to carry the clog away from your drain pipes and into the main sewer lines.
If the shower drain has backed up water, then running more water will worsen the problem. Also, the plunger can allow the object to travel down your plumbing and clog at another point. This is going to cause even more trouble for you.
These are the remedies you can avail yourself to unclog shower drain.
If the above mentioned home remedies haven’t helped you in successfully getting your shower drain unclogged, it is best to call in professional help. We, at Proline Plumbing, have been working as sewer line and plumbing specialists for years. We are operating in Houston, Texas. Call us at 832-772-5501 and let our specialists take care of your shower drain problems. We will also inspect your plumbing system and give you sound advice on avoiding future drain clogs.
