Clogged drains are a common problem, especially in cases where one or more members of the household has long hair. Long hair can become wrapped around parts of the drain and become clumped together with soap. Clogs can be minimized by the use of a drain protector and a soap tray.
What Causes a Shower Drain to Be Clogged?
Soap scum buildup and hair are the two main causes of clogged shower drains. Dirt or grease also can line the drain and cause a backup, and even minerals from hard water can cause issues. Clearing a clogged shower drain can be an unpleasant experience.
Shower drains tend to gradually slow as a buildup starts, which is how you know that a clog is coming on. Here are some tips to follow:
- Don’t use a chemical drain cleaner if the drain is completely backed up. It can damage the piping.
- Keep the hair clear of the drain. If the hair clog is tight enough to block water, it will stick together as you pull it up. Run a bio-friendly solution down the drain every month to help prevent soap scum and sludge buildup.
- When the drain is slow, call to have it cleaned.
- The vast majority of clogged shower drain problems can be solved by using some fairly simple and straightforward methods and tools. A few things you can try are:
- Pour boiling water down the drain
- Take the drain cover off and pull out the clog by hand.
- Try using a plunger, a straightened out wire hanger, a hook or plumber’s snake to clear out the clog.
If your shower clog is caused by a larger object that is caught in the drain, you may want to call a plumber. A homemade or purchased snake may not be able to remove solid objects.
To prevent future clogs, consider buying hair-catching inserts that can be placed over a bathtub or shower drain, and flush all the drains in the house simultaneously.
