In this article, we will discuss how to unclog a shower drain. Unclogging a shower drain by yourself is not as difficult as you might think. With little “know how” you can unblock a shower drain easily. For worst cases you can go for store-bought drain cleaner. But, it is better to keep all those chemicals as your last option to prevent your pipes from taking a toll. So before you seek for a professional help you can try this simple DIY trick on how to unclog a shower drain.
Methods to Unclog a Shower Drain
1.) Pour Boiling Water to Unclog a Shower Drain
Most of the time pouring some boiling water can do the trick of unclogging a shower drain. This helps break down the soap or grease (if they are the reason) which is holding the clog together. Make sure the water is very hot when you pour down it through the blockage. You may need to repeat it a couple of times to make it work. This method may not work in case you are dealing with a serious blockage which contains a lot of matted hair and has accumulated over time.
However, this method can help partially clear the blockage, when used in conjunction with any other method mentioned below.
2.) Plunger to Unclog a Shower Drain
The effectiveness of plunger depends on the nature of the blockage, its location and the design of the drain. In case the clog is deep inside and is caused due to hair, you may struggle to create enough suction for plunging to be productive.
To get better seal, you can add some petroleum jelly on the edge of the suction pad. You can also add water to the shower drain to make the end of the plunger submerged. Plunging may or may not resolve the issue. But it is always better to give it a try first.
3.) Baking Soda and Vinegar Combo to Unclog a Shower Drain
This is a more natural and an ideal alternative solution when compared to cleaning chemicals. For this, pour a cup of baking soda down the drain, and wait for several minutes. After waiting for a few minutes, pour a cup of vinegar down. Let it sit for a couple of hours. This action will help in dissolving the hair clog. Finally, clean out the drain by pouring a mug or two of boiling water down it.
4.) Pull the Drain Cover off and Unclog a Shower Drain by Hand
This method may not hold high chances of success, but you can give it a try. For this you will need to wear a rubber glove. First, remove the drain cover then try to look inside the drain. Try to locate the clog. You can use a flashlight for this. If you feel the clog is within reach, try to pull it out using your hand. If you can’t reach it, try the next method.
5.) Plumbers’ Snake or Toilet Jack to Unclog a Shower Drain
To unclog a shower drain you can also use a plumbers’ snake. You can buy one from a local store or order it online. Now, try to push the snake down in the drain until it reaches the clog. After that try to turn the snake’s handle and pull it back up. Finally, run water to check if the drain is unclogged.
6.) Call a Plumber to Unclog a Shower Drain
In case all the above method have failed and you don’t want to try any other means, then you may have to call out a professional plumber. He will surely help you resolve the issue. Also, you can ask him for some precautions to prevent any future blockage of drain.
