6 Ways to Unclog a Blocked Shower Drain

What causes blocked shower drains?

There are several common causes that can lead to a need to unclog shower drains:

• Hair Accumulation - Loose strands often come out during showers and may get trapped in the plumbing, causing blockages.
• Soap scum buildup - Soap combined with hard water results in a residue that may obstruct pipes.
• Debris such as sand, dirt, dead skin, and residual particles can enter drains, leading to clogs.

To prevent and unclog shower blockages, maintain a regular cleaning routine for your shower. Fitting a drain cover, akin to commercial drain protection solutions, can help catch debris before entering the shower drain, thus helping to deal with blocked shower issues. Periodically using a quality drain cleaner is advisable on how to clean shower pipes and disrupt the buildup causing clogs.

Identifying the location and cause of the clog

There are a few key signs that can help you identify where a clog is located in your shower drain and what might be causing it:

1. Slow drainage - Slow drainage often signifies a partial blockage likely caused by hair or debris accumulation.
2. Standing water - Water pooling around the drain suggests a full clog is preventing water from being able to drain away efficiently. Soap scum, small objects, or a large hair clog are common culprits.
3. Gurgling noises - Gurgling sounds from the drain might indicate a blockage causing issues within your sewer system.
4. Unpleasant odours - A blocked drain can lead to dirty water collecting and causing nasty odours. This could be a hint that trapped debris might cause blocked shower issues over time.

If you notice any of these signs, take steps to clear your shower of clogs and clean out the drain. As clogs worsen over time, acting quick can prevent larger problems down the line.

Clearing simple clogs with household items

There are several household items you likely already have on hand that can help clear minor clogs:

Baking Soda and Vinegar

The combination of baking soda and vinegar is an effective homemade drain cleaning solution. This is how you apply a cup white vinegar and baking soda mix to treat your clogged drain:

1. Pour 1 cup (250mL) of cleaning vinegar into the drain
2. Add a cup of hot water mixed with white vinegar after the baking soda.
3. Cover the drain and let sit the mixture for 5-10 minutes to work
4. Pour approximately 2 litres of boiling water down the drain to help dislodge the blockage and wash away the residue.

The bubbling reaction of vinegar with baking soda lifts hair soap scum and other accumulations. Boiling water is also effective at dissolving stubborn soap scum.

Plunger

For drains with standing water, a strong plunge can clear out shower clogs. Make sure the drain is completely covered by water before plunging. Work the plunger up and down with quick motions.

Wire Hanger

Similar to using a drain auger, a straightened wire hanger can help clear blocked debris by removing hair and gunk from shower drains manually. Just be cautious not to scratch your pipes. Slowly twist and pull to remove clumps of long hair that may be causing the drain clog.

For severe or recurring clogs, it’s advisable to seek professional plumbers to effectively unblock your shower and prevent future issues.

Using a plunger

Using plunger action is among the most potent methods to flush drain blockages in your shower. Here are the key steps to follow:

1. Fill the shower base with a few inches of water, ensuring effective plunger suction.
2. Cover the drain with a tightly fitted rag to create an airtight seal.
3. Situate the plunger above the shower drain can and exert forceful plunges several times, with swift up and down motions.
4. When plunging, make sure you have a tight seal around the drain to create enough suction power to dislodge the clog.
5. Flush the drain with hot water after plunging to unclog your shower and wash away any freed debris.

Using a drain plunger properly is crucial for removing shower drain blockages effectively. Creating a watertight seal around the drain opening is essential for removing blockage drain effectively with sufficient downward force. You may need to repeat the plunging action 15-20 times for the clog to shift sufficiently down the drain.

Baking soda and vinegar treatment

Using baking soda and vinegar is an effective DIY method to fix clogged shower issues in your bathroom.

1. Start by pouring half a cup of baking soda directly into the drain.
2. Follow up by slowly pouring 1 cup (250mL) of distilled white vinegar down after the baking soda.
3. Cover the drain opening with a plug or rag to contain the reaction.
4. Let the mixture react for several minutes to break down the clog effectively.
5. Finally, pour 1 cup baking of boiling water down the drain to help flush away any loosened gunk and residue.

The chemical reaction details how fix clogged drains with soda vinegar mix (baking soda as a base and vinegar as an acid) produces carbon dioxide gas bubbles and water. This fizzing action helps dislodge hair, soap scum, and other debris that’s stuck to the pipes. The boiling water then works to rinse away grime and clear the drain.

To fix clogged shower drain woes, you may need to repeat the baking soda and vinegar treatment 2-3 times. Allow the mixture to fully react for 5-10 minutes during each application before flushing with boiling water. This is what to do when faced with tough clogs, as it can break them apart without harsh chemicals.

Boiling water method

Running hot water through your pipes can melt and flush away soap scum or grease, effectively unblocking drains.

1. Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil.
2. Carefully pour down boiling water into the drain.
3. Let it sit for a few minutes to dissolve gunk buildup.
4. Flush with hot water down your drain to wash away debris.

Be cautious using this method on old metal pipes, as the rapid change in temperature can damage them. Plastic PVC pipes are generally safe for boiling water.

Repeat the treatment as needed until you can unblock your shower drain and water flows freely. Understanding how clear blockages in your pipes using a plunger can also effectively dislodge stubborn clogs.

Manually removing hair and debris

You can try to manually remove hair, soap scum, and other materials that may be causing your shower drain issues. Here are some tips for doing this safely and effectively:

• Wear rubber gloves to protect your hands during the clean-up
• Use needle-nose pliers, tweezers, or a coat hanger straightened to grip and pull out debris
• Slowly twist and pull with a snake drain tool to draw out clumps of hair shower and gunk without damaging pipes
• Place a bucket underneath to catch drips
• Rinse away debris with hot water when finished

While manual removal can help clear out visible clogs, keep in mind that hair and grime can accumulate in the deeper parts of your pipes over time. So combine this DIY method with chemical drain treatments or consider calling a plumber for a more thorough cleaning.

Calling a professional for severe clogs

If home remedies fail to clear your blocked shower drain, it may be time to consult a professional plumber.

Signs that indicate your clog is severe and requires a pro include:

• Water backing up significantly or overflowing
• Multiple drain treatments have had no effect
• Unusual gurgling noises coming from the pipes
• A foul sewage odour coming from the drain

At Riverwood Plumbing, we’re your local experts in your home’s plumbing, clearing all types of difficult drain clogs with over 10 years of experience. We serve customers throughout the Riverwood area and provide 24/7 emergency plumbing services.

To get touch with our experts to effectively unclog your blocked shower drain, email us or call 1300 349 338.

Preventing future clogs

There are several ways to help prevent future clogs in your shower drain:

Install a hair catcher

Installing a hair catcher or drain screen can prevent hair strands from entering the drain. Clean the catcher regularly to remove accumulated hair.

Proactively catching hair while shampooing and preventing debris from entering drains can thwart blockage formation.

Perform regular drain cleaning

Have your pipes professionally cleaned

Plumbers, using augers or hydro-jet equipment, can thoroughly clean your pipes and prevent clogs.

Being proactive with drain maintenance and careful about what goes into your pipes will help minimise clogs in the future. Reach out to Riverwood Plumbing for solutions to ongoing drain issues.

Installing hair traps

Fitting hair traps or drain catchers in showers is a proactive approach to significantly reduce clogs. Hair traps sit over or inside the drain opening and intercept loose hair before it can wash down the pipe. This helps prevent strands from accumulating into clumps big enough to obstruct water flow.

Installing a hair trap is simple and may involve removing the existing drain cover with basic tools. Here are the key steps:

1. Select a hair trap that fits over or inside your existing drain opening. Different types are available for tile, stainless steel, or rubber drain covers.
2. Remove your existing drain grate using a screwdriver, then clean the area thoroughly to remove any gunk or hair.
3. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to properly insert or position the new hair trap. Many have adhesive, screws/bolts, or rubber fittings to keep them securely in place.
4. After installation, run water for a minute to test for a secure fit and normal drainage.

Be sure to clean your hair catcher regularly. Simply pull out and remove any accumulated strands or debris. Replace the traps every 4-6 months, or sooner if damage is noticed.

Rinse it out before reinserting.

Using hair traps in combination with periodic drain cleaning is the most effective way to prevent costly shower clogs down the line.

Maintaining pipes and drains

It’s essential to learn how unblock methods operate to maintain your pipes effectively and to prevent blockages. Here are some best practises to follow:

Clean pipes regularly

Use a homemade baking soda and vinegar treatment every 1-2 months to break up accumulations inside pipes before they turn into clogs. Flushing with hot water keeps things moving smoothly.

Install drain screens

Adding hair catchers or drain screens keeps loose strands and debris from washing down the drain and causing obstructions.

Don’t pour fats or harsh chemicals down drains

Grease, oils, and abrasive drain cleaners can coat and eventually lead to blockages in pipes. Properly dispose of cooking fats and use mild enzyme cleaners to clean drain systems instead.

Inspect for leaks

Dripping taps or compromised water supply pipelines invite moisture into areas that can weaken your drain joints. This enables hair and gunk to catch. Fix any leaks right away.

Adhering to regular maintenance, including sink treatments and hair trap cleaning, safeguards against expensive clogs. Contact the professionals at Riverwood Plumbing if you have any persistent drain or pipe problems.