how to unblock shower drain feature
Cleaning & Maintenance, Showers

How to Unblock Shower Drain? Is Unclogging Necessary?

If you ever notice that the water in your shower becomes stuck for an extended period or it takes longer than usual before the water starts to drain, then act immediately. After all, the last thing that you would want is a flood simulation in your bathroom. But hold on, do not immediately call your plumber and end with a costly visit. Why don’t you try some tested ways or methods first?

What are these methods? And how to unblock shower drain through them? If you want to know the answer to these, continue reading below.

how to unblock shower drain

What Causes a Shower Drain Blocked

Is the bathroom drain blocked? What are the possible causes? There are many things that could be a reason for your clogged shower drain, and here are some of them:

  • Hair
  • Soapy residues
  • Dirt
  • Grease
  • Tree roots
  • Mineral Build Up

Ways on How to Unblock Shower Drain

Water that is not draining fast enough is a real pain, but thankfully, there are ways that you can try to solve a blocked shower drain. So, what are these ways, and how can they solve that standing water in shower drain?

1. Plunger.

A plunger might be too traditional, but this time and tested method is proven to help unclog shower drain; as a testament, the phrase “plunger shower drain” is still a top search. So, there is no special instruction in utilizing a plunger; you just have to use it as you normally do. In the instance that there is not enough suction, you can add petroleum jelly at the edge of the plunger and water to the shower drain until its end is submerged. Doing these two things could help you attain the suction you need to push the debris that clogs your shower drain.

unblock shower drain

2. Plumber‘s snake/toilet jack.

If the plunger did not work, then a toilet jack might. A toilet jack is a cheap tool available in most hardware. Using it is fairly straightforward. You just have to insert the snake down the drain until you reach the clog. If you feel it, turn or press the handle to bring it back up. Afterward, test the drainage by running water into it; if it is still the same, repeat the process.

3. Wire coat hanger.

If the plunger did not work and you have no toilet jack, then the wire coat hanger might be the answer. Bent the coat hanger so the wire can fit in the plughole. Insert the bent hanger with the hook placed at the end. To dislodge the blockage in the shower drain, push the coat hanger until you feel it touch the debris that blocks the drain. Slowly twist and pull it until you get whatever is blocking the drain outside.

4. Boiling Water.

What If I have no wire coat hanger or a plunger? Easy. Unclog a shower drain without tools through the fifth way, boiling water. Boiling water is a great way to improve your shower drainage. It helps in getting rid of the debris in the drain that might be causing the clogging.

5. Baking Soda and White Vinegar.

How to fix drain in shower using baking soda and white vinegar? The answer is easy. Like boiling water, the solution made from baking soda and white vinegar is an alternative to the commercially available drain cleaners. In using this method, make sure that the shower will not be used for the next hours (2-3), so the result will be better. Once you are sure of the shower schedule, start pouring half a cup of baking soda in the drain and then a half cup of distilled white vinegar immediately after it. The combination of the two will create a fizzing effect that will deal with the blockage. Let it be for around 20-30 minutes, then pour hot water to flush the blockage.

6. Commercial drain cleaners.

Included on the list are, of course, commercial drain cleaners. If boiling water and vinegar and baking soda solution were not able to help you, then this one might. After all, commercial drain cleaners are specific mixtures of chemicals made with the purpose of solving that clogged pipe and drain of yours. Commercial drain cleaners are also easy to use; you just need to pour it into the drain and let it do its job, but make sure that you read and follow the manufacturer’s directions before doing so (for safety precautions). These drain cleaners are available in most supermarkets and hardware stores, so if you are really busy, then this might be the best way for you.

Tips on How to Prevent Shower Drain Blocking

To prevent shower drain blocking, you can follow and observe the following tips.

1. Have easy-to-clean shower drainage.

A good shower drainage is ideal for every bathroom. These shower drains are equipped with functions that help in blocking hairs, debris, and other things that might block it in the long run. Shower drain with easy-to-roll-out features is ideal as they can easily be cleaned and maintained. One perfect example of this is the currently popular linear shower drains like those aluminum drains and grates from MyHomeware.

bathroom drain blocked

2. Regularly check for obstruction.

Maintain a regular schedule of cleaning so that your shower drain will not be clogged. The schedule could be every other day or once a week.

3. Use a hair catcher.

Hairs are the most common culprit of drainage blockage, so utilizing a hair catcher will be of great help as it will collect the hair instead of them getting inside the drain.

Conclusion

A bathroom is a place of relaxation and relief, but what if that relaxation and relief are interrupted? Interruptions to our bathing regimen are never good, especially if the cause of this is a clogged shower drain. So how to unblock shower drain? The answer lies in the simple and varied methods listed above. These methods are tested and proven, but if they do not work, then hiring a professional will do you good.

FAQ about How to Unblock Shower Drain

How to unblock shower drain without a plunger?

If you do not have a plunger, you can use a toilet jack, boiling water, a bent coat hanger, baking soda and vinegar, and more. Using these things is fairly straightforward, so you will not have a hard time utilizing them to solve your problem.

Do I need a professional to solve a shower drain blockage?

If you tried several methods and they did not work, then yes, you might need a professional. Your drainage problem could not be that simple hence having a professional plumber to count on is better.

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