What to Do When You Have a Clogged Shower Drain
Clogged Shower Drain: What Steps To Take
When you have a clogged shower drain, the first thing to do is figure out what’s causing it. After that, you can take action and fix the problem. Clogs in a shower drain are often caused by hair or soap scum, which is why it’s so important to have regularly scheduled cleanings. However, if you don’t have regularly scheduled cleanings performed, here are some tips for how to tell what’s causing your clogged shower drain and then how to fix it.
Signs of a Clogged Shower Drain
Years of grime, hair, soap scum and even tiny objects may accumulate in your pipes and clog up your shower. Shower drains can block for a variety of reasons, including rust and scale buildup, as well as tree roots growing into your drain. Because shower drains generally take time to form, you may not notice the issue at once. There are three symptoms to look for if your shower is clogged.
1. Slow Drainage
One of the most common signs that you have an issue with your shower drain is slow drainage. However, there are other reasons your drains may be draining slowly. Cleaning the shower regularly can help prevent debris build-up in addition to helping with slow drainage.
2. Bad Smells
If your drains are clogged, then it is very likely that the sink and/or tub will drain slowly as well. In addition to this, bad smells come from either of the two, especially the shower drain. However, if you experience a slow drainage problem or an odor from your sink or tub, you may have bigger issues than a simple clog.
3. Puddles of Water
One of the most obvious signs that your shower drain is clogged is water either standing or moving slowly in the tub. What this means is that there are too many solids for the fluids to keep draining at its normal speed, which ends up with puddles of water forming.
Why is My Shower Drain Clogged?
Shower drains can be clogged for different reasons. Some of these are issues that you can fix yourself, while others may take professional attention.
Hair: One of the most common causes of shower drain blockages is hair. It’s important to remember that not all hair will make it through your pipes, but if you have long hair or frequently wash your hair in the shower, then there is a good chance your drain could get clogged with hair.
Soap: Another common cause of a clogged shower drain is soap scum. Soap scum often wraps around hair to create a solid blockage in your pipes, which can then end up blocking the drain.
Scale and Rust: In addition to the problems mentioned above, rust and scale may also lead to a drain being clogged. These two things naturally build up over time when water runs through them in pipes, and if left unattended they can be difficult or even impossible to remove without professional help. What this means for you is that it’s important not only to clean out your shower regularly but also to have it inspected for issues before any damage occurs.
Minerals: If you have hard water in your home, then minerals may also build up and cause the drain to be clogged. What you can do is use a snake or auger to unclog it yourself if DIY is right for you.
Root Infestation: One of the most serious types of blockage that can result from a clogged shower drain is root infestation. Tree roots looking for water may grow into your drains to find their next drink. What this means for you is that even though there are many other causes-if you notice tree roots growing through your pipes near your plumbing, then they are most likely the reason your drain is clogged. What you can do, if it’s something that you find yourself needing to fix often, is call a plumber to keep them under control before things get too serious.
How Do I Unclog My Shower Drain?
There are a variety of ways that you can unclog your shower drain. What it all boils down to is removing whatever is clogging the drain, whether it’s built-up minerals, hair, or something else. Let’s see how you can get rid of the clog:
Vinegar and Baking Soda: What you need to do is mix baking vinegar and baking soda together to form a paste. What this will do is help break up the blockage so that it comes out of your shower drain. What you can do is pour the mixture into your drain over a period of time, then wait for a few minutes before pouring a pot of boiling water down. Repeat as needed until the clog breaks free.
Boiling Water: If vinegar and baking soda don’t work, then all hope isn’t lost! What you can do is follow the same method as above with one exception-after pouring in the mixture, make sure to pour boiling water down right after. The heat from the water should melt any buildup, allowing it to flow freely through the drain.
Your Hands: What many people find effective, but not necessarily pleasant, is using their hands to pull out whatever is causing the clog. What you do is get a wire hanger and bend it so that the hook at the end becomes exposed. What you can do is push down into your drain until you feel something; once there, take hold of it with the hook and pull out whatever is causing the blockage (hair or soap scum are common culprits).
Wire Hanger Method: What many people find effective is to take a wire hanger and bend it so that the hook at the end becomes exposed. What you can do is push down into your drain until you feel something, then with the help of the hook pull out whatever is causing the blockage (hair or soap scum are common culprits). Make sure not to leave it down there too long though, because while it will definitely pull anything out of there temporarily, if left for too long it could cause damage to your pipes.
A Plunger: What you can do is pick up a plunger from your local hardware store and try to use it as a last resort. What this does is physically pull out whatever is clogging the drain. What you need to do first, however, is fill your tub with water before plunging if you have a double sink or a bathtub/shower combo. What’s happening here is that the pressure of pushing down on the plunger creates a vacuum effect in the pipes themselves, forcing out whatever debris may be causing your clog. Make sure to flush it out with boiling water afterward!
A Professional Plumber: What you can do is call a professional plumber if none of the above methods work. Liberty Plumbing will provide a one-time solution in whatever form works best for your shower drain, whether it’s a chemical mix or some other option. What this does is rid your house of the clog once and for all, eliminating any worries that it may come back.
How to Prevent Clogged Shower Drains
Regular maintenance is the most effective approach to avoid clogged shower drains. Liberty Plumbing offers prompt, professional cleaning services to unclog clogged drains and guarantee that your plumbing functions properly year after year. Our expert crew will clean your pipes without causing any significant damage using tried-and-true drain cleaning methods and equipment. Some DIY methods may work, but if you want to be sure that the job is completed properly, you’ll need expert service from Liberty Plumbing.
Same-Day Emergency Services
Liberty offers same-day emergency services. Our plumbers are available to address your plumbing needs, so you can rest assured that someone will be there for you no matter the time. What’s more, we offer free estimates for all of our services. You can call us at any time to schedule a visit from a member of the Liberty Plumbing team. What this does is save you money and make certain that your drain will flow freely without causing you any problems.
Hire The Pros at Liberty Plumbing Today
Are you dealing with a bad smell every time you use your shower? With our plumbing services, we guarantee that you will get your shower back in shape as soon as possible. Get in touch with our team of experts today. Give us a call at (951) 760-4215, we’ll be more than happy to assist you and we promise to clean your plumbing system at no time.
