Clogged Shower Drain? How to Unclog It

One of the most common household plumbing problems that homeowners and plumbers alike deal with are clogged shower drains. Most of the time, this problem can be resolved with a little bit of elbow grease. Often, however, these clogs can be difficult to remove and thus require the assistance of a plumber.

The next time your shower drain is clogged, try these useful tips to solve the problem:

Hire a Plumber and Get it Done Right

Consistent shower clogs may be due to more than simply hair or soap shavings accumulating at the base. Deep clogs and more serious plumbing issues can cause a lot of headaches for you and your family, so it may be wise to contact a plumber to diagnose and solve this problem at its source.

Murphys Plumbing in Melbourne are quality plumbers with the experience, tools, and practical solutions to get your shower up and running (and draining) properly in short order. Consider that deep clogs and problematic plumbing can lead to costly repairs if neglected, so hiring a plumber can be seen as a preventative measure.

Clean it By Hand

It’s likely that you’ve already attempted this yourself, but it’s worth noting that most shower drain clogs come simply from accumulated hair and other debris at the opening. Allow the shower water to drain, then unscrew or remove the shower drain cover to reveal the opening. If there are visible clumps of hair and debris, use your hands (you can use gloves too if you prefer) to remove the obstruction. Most of the time, this will allow for proper drainage again.

Use a Wire Hanger

If you’ve got an inexpensive wire clothes hanger in your home, untie it and stretch it out into a hook-shaped implement which you can use to remove blockages further down than you can reach with your bare hands.

Use a flashlight to see deeper down the pipes and continuously try to snag the blockage using the hook of the wire. Once you’ve removed the blockage, run hot water down the drain and see if it’s done the trick.

Use a Chemical Solution

Specialised, over-the-counter drain cleaning solutions are available at most retailers and hardware shops. These products shouldn’t be too expensive, but they tend to use powerful chemical compounds in crystal or liquid form that can be poured into the drain. Follow the instructions on the product and ensure you’re wearing protective equipment at all times. Rinse the shower thoroughly after a few minutes to ensure that it’s properly flushed down the drain.

As an alternative, you could attempt to make your own shower clog removal solution using baking soda and vinegar. Try mixing salt and baking soda together at a 1:1 ratio, then dumping a generous amount down the drain. White vinegar can then be poured into the drain, whereby it’ll create bubbly suds that can scour and remove blockages. Wash this solution down after a few minutes with boiling hot water.

Use a Hand Snake

Toilet snakes and shower snakes, sometimes called hand snakes, can be purchased from many hardware shops and are used to remove obstructions deeper than you can reach with hands or the above solutions. These hand-cranked devices can be inserted into shower drains, and by turning the crank, the end of the snake will rotate and grind up solid blockages.

Contact Murphys Plumbing Today

Murphys Plumbing proudly serves Melbourne and is a quality plumber that you can rely on whether your shower drain is clogged or you require thorough and professional inspections, repairs, or maintenance on your household plumbing. Contact us today to see how we can help you with your household plumbing needs.