A clogged shower drain can put a damper on your day: imagine wanting to take a relaxing shower after a long day and ending up with a pool of murky water at your feet. Fortunately there are plenty of ways to quickly unblock a shower, so read on to learn the best methods!
Required Tools For Unclogging A Shower
- Plunger
- Baking soda and vinegar
- Drain snake
- Chemical unclogging (Drain-O)
Time to unclog a shower drain: 5-15 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Estimated cost: $0-20
How To Unclog Your Shower Quickly:
1. Boiling water:
Simply boil a pot of water, and pour it down the drain. The hot water can help dissolve any buildup in your pipes and wash away the clog.
2. Plunger:
First, remove the drain cover and fill the tub or shower with a few inches of water. Place the plunger over the drain and pump it up and down vigorously for about a minute. The suction created by the plunger will help dislodge the clog.
3. Baking soda and vinegar:
Pour a cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by a cup of vinegar. Let the mixture sit for about 30 minutes, then flush the drain with hot water. The result should be like a science fair volcano: a rush of pressure from the chemical reaction will push out the mixture and anything clogging the drain.
4. Drain snake:
A drain snake is a flexible wire with a hook on the end that can be used to remove clogs from your pipes. You can insert the snake into your drain to fish out anything that may be clogging your pipes. There are a variety of snakes available, from simple manual ones ($5-$20) and electric ones ($100+).
5. Chemical unclogging:
If all else fails, you can use a chemical unclogging solution like Drain-O to unclog your drain. Exercise caution, as these products can potentially damage your pipes.
None of these methods doing the trick? It may be time to hire a Tasker for plumbing help.
Why Do Clogs Occur?
There are several reasons why your shower drain may become clogged, including:
- Hair: Hair is one of the most common causes of shower drain clogs. Over time, hair accumulates in your drain and causes blockages.
- Soap and shampoo residue: Soap and shampoo residue builds up over time and can cause clogs, although this happens less frequently than with hair.
- Mineral buildup: If you have hard water, mineral buildup can accumulate in your pipes, leading to clogs.
- Foreign objects: Occasionally foreign objects may get lodged in your drain, causing backups.
Preventing Clogs
Of course, the best way to deal with a clogged shower drain is to prevent it from happening in the first place. One way to prevent a clog is to use a drain cover or grate, which is typically a small plastic or metal insert that fits over your drain.
Another method for preventing clogs is to occasionally use drain cleaners (although you should be sure not to damage your pipes with chemicals). If you need assistance in preventing pipe blockages, Taskers are ready to help.
