6 Super Simple Ways to Unblock a Clogged Shower Drain

Identifying a Blocked Shower Drain

Noticing the early signs of a blocked shower drain allows you to address the issue promptly before it worsens. A blocked shower drain is often caused by an accumulation of hair, dead skin, soap residue, and other debris.

Signs of a blocked shower drain include slow draining water, water pooling in the shower tray, gurgling drain sounds, or unpleasant odours.

If left untreated, your clogged shower drain can cause a backtrack of odorous water into your bathroom. It’s essential to act quickly by choosing DIY methods or seeking professional plumbing assistance when confronted with stagnant water damage.

Using a Plunger

A plunger is an effective first response for clearing minor blockages in your shower drain. Begin by firmly placing the plunger over the drain opening to form a tight seal, aiming to dislodge the clog. Make sure the plunger cup is filled with a considerable amount of water to create the necessary pressure to flush drain blockages.

Using forceful up-and-down plunging motions while keeping the seal intact can help to dislodge minor blockages. The suction created can clear other debris and fix clogged showers by removing long hair and soap buildup near the drain’s entry. Wearing rubber gloves can help protect your hands.

While a plunger may give you a means to keep your drain temporarily free from small clogs, it likely won’t fully resolve more serious blockages deeper in the pipes. This method is often a good first step before moving on to more intensive interventions like drain snaking for tougher clogs.

Trying Boiling Water

Pouring hot water down your drain can dissolve soap scum and grease, aiding in clog removal. Boiling water effectively melts greasy buildup, facilitating its removal through your shower drain. However, take extra care when implementing this if your clogged shower is associated with hard water.

Allow the mixture to sit for a few minutes to dissolve the clog effectively.

Repeat the process as needed until you notice improvement, indicating your shower drain blockage is clearing.

A warning though - do not pour boiling water down PVC pipes as it can warp or loosen the joints, instead consider using cleaning vinegar as a safer alternative. If you have PVC plumbing, use hot but not quite boiling water instead.

Boiling water is effective in clearing blockages caused by soap or grease, restoring drain functionality.

Using Baking Soda and Vinegar

A natural method to address a blocked shower is the effervescent action of a baking soda and vinegar mixture. This simple solution is what homeowners should try first to help dissolve soap scum, oil, grease and hair that often clog drains.

1. Start by removing collected hair or debris, then pour 1 cup of baking soda down the drain and cover it.
2. Follow this by carefully pouring 1 cup of white vinegar into the mix. The reaction between vinegar and baking soda will help break down clogs with bubbling and fizzing.
3. Place the drain plug or cover back over the drain to contain the reaction.
4. Let the mixture settle for a while, giving it time to dissolve the drain clog efficiently.
5. After removing the plug, proceed using drain flushing with hot water alongside the soda to expedite the flushing of the loosened clog.
6. If water continues to drain slowly, repeat the steps as necessary.

The effervescent soda and vinegar mixture creates gentle pressure that can help dislodge blockages. This process helps to dislodge accumulations such as hair, soap residue, and other grime. It’s not only a safer route but also an eco-friendly drain cleaning technique.

However, be mindful that this approach may fall short for complete blockage resolution on its own. But it’s an easy initial solution to try before calling a plumber for severe clogs requiring a professional drain snake.

Snaking the Drain

Utilising simple tools like a wire hanger or coat hanger shows you how unclog shower drain obstructions caused by entrenched residue. A drain snake is a long, flexible metal cable you feed down the drain to physically hook, break up and extract the blockage.

1. Commence the cleaning process by using this opportunity to remove drain cover and then clear hair and debris near the drain entrance using tongs or gloved hands.
2. Slowly feed the drain snake down the drain, twisting it gently. You may hit an obstruction; work the cable back and forth while cranking the handle to work through it.
3. Once the cable feeds freely down the pipe, crank the handle as you slowly pull out the snake. This maneuver enables the hook to scrape the pipes and clear out debris collected over drain areas effectively.
4. Repeat as needed until water flows freely to fix your stubborn drain issues. Exert care not to harm the pipe interior, as there’s a knack to how unclog without causing collateral damage.

In the case of particularly tough clogs, a powered drain auger can offer the additional force necessary to clear the blockage. Such equipment must be used with care to prevent damage to pipes or tiles. In challenging situations, the decision to call plumber might be the most prudent choice to effectively snake the drain.

Snaking has a high success rate and can effectively unclog shower drain obstructions that are deeply set. You’ll find that moderation is essential to preserve the integrity of your pipes. Ultimately, regular drain maintenance helps avoid severe clogs from forming.

Using Commercial Drain Cleaners

Explore drain unblocking techniques using commercial cleaners designed for stubborn blockages, available at hardware stores. Exercise caution as these cleaners often contain harsh chemicals such as lye or sulfuric acid, which can damage pipes if misused.

When using commercial cleaners:

• Carefully follow manufacturer instructions on amount to use and proper application.
• Never mix different drain cleaner products together as toxic fumes can result.
• Wear gloves and eye protection when handling and learn how unblock problematic obstructions.
• Always use in a well-ventilated area due to the strong fumes that can be emitted.
• For a gentler approach, opt for enzyme-based or microbial cleaners rather than corrosive acid or lye formulas.

While chemical drain cleaners may claim to work quickly, they can erode pipes and seals over time with repeated use. They also flush toxins into the water system impacting the environment.

For this reason, addressing a blocked drain with safer alternatives like snaking or the baking soda and vinegar method is advisable. For severe clogs, only a professional plumber with commercial-grade solutions can successfully unblock your shower drain blockages, avoiding any pipe damage.

Preventing Future Blockages

Learning how to prevent shower clogs is as beneficial as treating them, with prevention being the optimal approach. Start by making regular maintenance a habit.

• Once a month, clear out potential clogs by tossing a cup of baking soda and vinegar down the drain, then rinse with hot water. Regularly doing so can prevent clogging by cleaning the drain of soap scum and oils before they accumulate.
• Use a drain catcher or cover to trap hair and debris, making it easier to maintain a clean shower. Clean the drain catcher regularly.
• Inspect the shower drain area often and remove any visible debris or buildup manually with tongs. Don’t allow too much hair or soap to collect.
• Consider professional drain inspections every year or two to catch and clear minor clogs before they become problematic.

Staying on top of debris removal and doing periodic drain cleanings helps ensure free-flowing pipes that won’t back up. An ounce of prevention is truly worth a pound of cure when it comes to maintained healthy drains.

In cases of recurring clogged shower drains, it may be necessary to replace outdated pipes to prevent future incidents. Follow our guide as our expert technicians can unblock your drains efficiently and provide guidance on suitable corrective measures.

When to Call a Professional

Although simple DIY techniques can fix minor clogs, the expertise of a professional plumber is crucial for severe blockages. Should DIY solutions such as drain snakes, chemical cleaners, or baking soda mixtures fail, consider seeking professional plumbing assistance.

A fully blocked shower drain leading to standing water on the shower floor, if not addressed, can cause leaks, mould, and additional damage. Strathfield Plumbing has over 25 years of experience quickly and safely unclogging fully blocked drains.

Our team utilises sophisticated equipment to conquer stubborn blockages that may be deep within your plumbing system. Our team follows strict safety protocols to prevent pipe damage during the unblocking process.

To receive immediate help or to get touch regarding a shower drain issue in Strathfield, Sydney, call our office on 1300 349 338 or email jobs@strathfieldplumbingservices.com.au to schedule an appointment.

Our licensed professionals, backed by competitive rates and a satisfaction guarantee, will diligently address blocked shower issues, ensuring restored water flow and a spotless bathroom.